Why did Pope Francis Meets with Bill Clinton and Alex Soros?

Pope Francis held a private audience with former U.S. President Bill Clinton at the Casa Santa Marta papal residence on Wednesday. The meeting, attended by a prominent American delegation that included Alex Soros of the Open Society Foundations, focused on topics such as peace and philanthropy. The encounter took place after Clinton's visit to Albania, during which he received a public gratitude medal for his support of the country and NATO's intervention in the Kosovo War.

Highlights

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
7/6/2023 (9 months ago)

Published in Europe

Keywords: Pope Francis, Bill Clinton, Alex Soros, meeting, Vatican

Accompanying Clinton were his son-in-law Marc Mezvinsky, his former Oxford roommate and Deputy Secretary of State, Strobe Talbot, and Alex Soros, the chairman of the Open Society Foundations. During the meeting, Pope Francis presented Clinton with a statue symbolizing peace, while Clinton gifted the pontiff a personalized porcelain tray featuring the U.S. presidential seal and a handwritten note.

Described as a "private audience" by the Holy See Press Office, the gathering showcased Clinton's appreciation for Pope Francis' contributions to the Church and the world. After the meeting, Pope Francis greeted the entire delegation, including Mezvinsky and Talbot, while noting that the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Joe Donnelly, was absent.

The Open Society Foundations, led by George Soros, have recently faced criticism for their funding of abortion-related initiatives and efforts to influence the political priorities of American Catholics. However, no comment was received from the foundations regarding the meeting with Pope Francis. The fact that Pope Francis would meet with men who are natural adversaries of the Gospel and Church is mystifying, although not inconsistent with his pastoral approach to those who are fallen from Christ. However, the visit does not appear to be pastoral in nature, with the Holy Father making an appeal to their conscience or calling them to conversion. But the audience was private, and we do not know what what actually discussed. 

While we pray those who refuse to follow Christ come to conversion, we must also pray for the safety and integrity of the Church. We trust the Holy Father to lead with compassion and to shepherd the faithful. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.