I saw a pope in person once. It was the charisma-challenged Pope Paul VI, not the most popular pontiff. He was on a balcony, as scheduled, overlooking Vatican Square on a Sunday. I saw him clearly through binoculars. It counts.
But I never actually met a pope–let alone had my picture taken with one. Maybe that’s why I’m kind of resentful of all those famous folks who get these photo-ops with the pope. And then use them self-servingly.
Bill O’Reilly comes readily–and sleazily–to mind. Even if the Holy Father had heard his confession and called him out for a spin job that violated the eighth commandment.
And then there’s University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh, looking for any venue advantage–including a leg up on Catholic recruits. But he did reciprocate–and gave the Pope a personalized winged UM helmet. He really did.
The point is this. Francis is the Pope. He’s special. He’s shouldn’t be a prop for those who can leverage a photo-op.