Pope Francis Turns Away Lebanese Ambassador For Ties To Freemasonry
Pope Francis has reportedly rejected Lebanon's choice for ambassador to The Vatican over the candidate's alleged connections to Freemasonry.
https://www.trunews.com/article/pope-francis-turns-away-lebanese-ambassador
It rarely happens, but the head of state of any country has the diplomatic authority to “veto” another country’s ambassador, a move usually taken before he or she attempts to officially present his or her credentials. Pope Francis, as head of state of The Vatican, exercised this authority last week during a visit with Lebanese President Saad Hariri, telling him the country’s current general consul in Los Angeles, Johnny Ibrahim, would be “unacceptable” as an envoy to the Holy See. The stated reason: Ibrahim has alleged ties to Freemasonry. The Catholic Church has remained hostile to Masonic and other secret societies for centuries, and until 1983, membership in such groups was grounds for automatic excommunication. Today, Catholics are admonished that membership in these groups is “irreconcilable” with the Christian faith. Ibrahim was unofficially announced as Ambassador to the Holy See this past summer. He claims that while he’s had “contacts” with French Freemasonry, he’s never been a member. Hariri said he was surprised by the decision, but would honor it. The last time The Vatican rejected a proposed ambassador was two years ago when French President Francois Hollande nominated an openly gay Catholic. Francis refused to accept that ambassador’s credentials when the president pressed the matter, ultimately forcing him to make a diplomatically embarrassing change. In 2009, Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John Kennedy, was rumored to have been President Barack Obama’s choice to represent the U.S. at The Vatican, but was vetoed over her support for abortion.