Donald Trump meets the Pope.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

I would say that this one is worth perhaps twice that many.

Have you ever seen a glummer group of people?

The only one smiling is the idiot in the early stages of dementia.

Here it looks as if the Pope cannot believe he has to actually interact with his moron as if he is the president of the United States.

After the meeting Trump had this to say: 

"He is something," Trump said of the Pope later in the day, during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni. "We had a fantastic meeting. We're liking Italy very, very much and it was an honor to be with the Pope."

For his part the Pope sent Trump a rather clear message: 

The Pope's gift left no questions about its symbolism, presenting Trump with an olive tree medal crafted by a Roman artist that the Pope said symbolizes peace. 

"We can use peace," Trump said. 

"I signed it personally for you," the Pope offered.

Like I said, a clear message. 

The reason for Pope Benedict's sudden abdication explained. Update!

Guiltiest looking Pope ever!

Courtesy of the International Tribunal into Crimes of Church ans State:

Pope Benedict, Joseph Ratzinger, has scheduled a meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano for Saturday, February 23 to discuss securing protection and immunity from prosecution from the Italian government, according to Italian media sources. 

Ratzinger's meeting follows upon the apparent receipt by the Vatican of a diplomatic note from an undisclosed European government on February 4, stating its intention to issue an arrest warrant for Ratzinger, who resigned from his pontificate less than a week later. 

In response to the February 23 meeting, the International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State (ITCCS), through its field Secretary, Rev. Kevin Annett, has written to President Napolitano, asking him to refrain from assisting Ratzinger in evading justice. 

The ITCCS letter states, in part, 

"I need not remind you, Mr. President, that under international law and treaties that have been ratified by Italy, you and your government are forbidden from granting such protection to those like Joseph Ratzinger who have aided and abetted criminal actions, such as ordering Bishops and Cardinals in America and elsewhere to protect known child rapists among their clergy. 

"Your obligation to the Vatican through the Lateran Treaty does not negate or nullify the requirements of these higher moral and international laws; nor does it require that you give any protection or immunity to a single individual like Joseph Ratzinger, especially after he has left his papal office."

So let's see if we have this straight. On February 4th the Vatican receives a note saying that there is a warrant being issued for the Pope.

Seven days later, on February 11th, he resigns ostensibly due to "poor health."

And now we understand that he has a meeting scheduled with the Italian President asking him for immunity against prosecution for crimes against children?

You know I am not a mathematician, but I can add. And in this case two plus two equals"the pope's guilty of some crime having to do with pedophilia."

Anybody disagree with that?

Update: There have been a number of people who have suggested that this news is not reliable.  That may be true, though it has been reported in a number of places on the internet.

However the idea of the Pope having a warrant for his arrest is now a non-issue at it appears he has not intention of exposing himself to the possibility of having it served on him.

This from GMA News: 

Pope Benedict's decision to live in the Vatican after he resigns will provide him with security and privacy. It will also offer legal protection from any attempt to prosecute him in connection with sexual abuse cases around the world, Church sources and legal experts say. 

"His continued presence in the Vatican is necessary, otherwise he might be defenseless. He wouldn't have his immunity, his prerogatives, his security, if he is anywhere else," said one Vatican official, speaking on condition of anonymity. 

"It is absolutely necessary" that he stays in the Vatican, said the source, adding that Benedict should have a "dignified existence" in his remaining years.

So take it for what you will. But to my mind the fact that the Pope suddenly resigned, the first time in 600 years, and is now going to stay in the Vatican where he cannot be legally prosecuted, speaks volumes.

Catholic priest blames female victims of domestic violence as being responsible due to ther "arrogance" and the fact they serve cold or fast food to their men.

Not married and celibate, perfect person to dish out advice on abusive relationships.

Courtesy of the Herald Sun: 

"How often do we see girls and mature women going around scantily dressed and in provocative clothes?" Piero Corsi said in a Christmas message posted on the door of his church in the small town of San Terenzio in northwest Italy. 

"They provoke the worst instincts, which end in violence or sexual abuse. They should search their consciences and ask: did we bring this on ourselves?" it read. 

The leaflet, a copy of which was posted online sparking a wave of outrage across the country, said the 118 women killed in acts of domestic violence in Italy in 2012 had pushed men to their limits. 

"Is it possible that all of a sudden men have gone mad? We don't believe it," Corsi wrote. 

"The fact is that women are increasingly provocative, they become arrogant, they believe themselves to be self-sufficient and end up exacerbating the situation," he said. 

"Children are abandoned to their own devices, homes are dirty, meals are cold or fast food, clothes are filthy," he added. 

The region's bishop, Luigi Ernesto Palletti, stepped in as the story went viral and said Corsi's words were "unacceptable and go against the church's common feeling on the matter".

Once again ladies why would ANY of you subject yourselves to a  patriarchal religious faith that was essentially founded to suppress women and keep them at home cleaning house and birthing babies while elevating their husbands to a state of Godhood within their homes?

And another thing, why, oh why, do people take marital, relationship, or sexual advice from men who are not married, in relationships, or having sex?

That is like asking an Amish man why my computer is running slow.

Italy to strip churches of their tax exempt status. Seriously?

Courtesy of the Telegraph:  

The Church currently pays tax on several properties it owns that are commercial enterprises but is exempt if at least some of the activities on the property are "non-commercial" - for example a chapel in a hotel. 

"The regulatory framework will be definite by January 1, 2013 - the start of the fiscal year - and will fully respect the (European) Community law," Prime Minister Mario Monti's government said in a statement late Tuesday. 

In February, the government had amended Italy's property tax law to end the Church's privileges amid rising calls for the Vatican to share in debt crisis sacrifices and in the face of intense scrutiny from the European Commission. 

On Monday the Council of State, Italy's highest ranking court for administrative litigation, rejected the decree. But the government insisted everyone would pay property tax, Church included.

Way to go Italy!

I literally dream of the day when the churches in America are stripped of their tax exempt status and made to pay their fair share to support the services, like street repair, police support, and firefighters, which they currently enjoy for free.

By the way taxing the churches would bring in an additional 71 billion annually and essentially pay down this country's debts in no time at all. Just think about that for awhile.