Gay Man Who Met with Pope During U.S. Visit Speaks Out

[rug]

Pope Francis met with many people during his visit to Washington, but it turns out his only private audience was with a gay man and his friends. Washington Bureau reporter Michael Scotto sat down for a special interview with that man and has the story.

By Michael Scotto
Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 06:11 PM EDT

Washington caterer Yayo Grassi grew up in Argentina, where 50 years ago he was a high school student of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the man who later become Pope Francis.

"When I listen to him speaking on TV, if I close my eyes, I think I'm still in the same classroom and I think he's giving us a lecture," Grassi said.

So, several months ago, when Grassi, an atheist, heard the leader of the Catholic Church was coming to town, he asked to meet with his former teacher.

"He said, I would really like to give you a hug,'" Grassi said.

http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2015/10/3/gay-man-who-met-with-pope-during-u-s--visit-speaks-out--.html

11:48 video at link.

[MADem]

1. It was a very warm meeting. You could tell they were glad to see one another.

Funny how Miz "Private Audience" from KY doesn't have any video of her supposed huggy, kissy meeting with all those Papal exhortations.

If I were meeting the Pope, or the Supreme Leader of Iran, or the Dalai Lama, you can be damn sure I'd play the tourist and bring the old camera along to memorialize the occasion. It's odd that the only photograph her crew could come up with was a faked picture of Peruvians supposedly praying for her that turned out to be utter horse poop.

[rug]

4. The video from the meeting is floating arond somewhere.

Genuine affection all around.

[Cartoonist]

2. Hug this!

This changes nothing. The Pope is still a homophobic bigot.

[rug]

3. Let me see, who should I believe?

You, on the internet, or a gay man who's known him for a half century?

[Cartoonist]

5. How about believing the Pope?

He has not changed anything regarding the church's stance on homosexuality. So he's wants to hug his old student. Big deal.

[rug]

6. Listen to this man's comments in the video about what the Pope said in Argentina.

What you continually fail to grasp is the difference between the Church's stance on homosexuality as doctrine and its stance on civil marriage laws.

[Cartoonist]

7. Grasp this!

the Church's stance on homosexuality as doctrine
-
Let me know when that changes.

[rug]

9. I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, read today's Gospel. You won't like what it says about adultery and divorce, both of which are legal.

[hrmjustin]

8. As a gay man i have to admit I was highly disappointed in the meeting with Davis.

I also had high hopes in 2013 but I have become realistic in 2015 and I know things are not changing in this pontificate.

[rug]

10. Things do and will change.

Stasis is not the default state of nature.

The task is to make the correct change.

[Cartoonist]

11. That means a lot coming from you.

Too bad you can't count on this Pope, but keep up the struggle.

Maybe you'll come around on Bernie as well someday.

[rug]

12. Does this article have anything to do with Bernie Sanders?

[Cartoonist]

13. I was talking to HRM

Take a running jump!

[rug]

14. I saw that. it's still irrelevant.

"Take a running jump!"?

Tsk.

[rug]

15. Miore on Yayo Grassi.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/04/pope-francis-gay-former-student-shocked-kim-davis-meeting