News

Vatican expresses irritation with WH over guest list

by Jesse Byrnes - 09/18/15 11:46 AM ET

The Vatican is expressing displeasure with the Obama administration’s move to invite certain LGBT activists to the White House for Pope Francis’s visit next week, The Wall Street Journal reports.

A senior Vatican official told the newspaper about worries that photos with transgender activists, the nation’s first openly gay Episcopal bishop and another activist could be interpreted as a papal endorsement.

{mosads}The Vatican official said the presence of several of the activists was irritating given that it is unclear whether the White House has yet invited any anti-abortion advocates, a top issue for U.S. bishops.

Francis will headline a ceremony at the White House on Wednesday on the South Lawn, where he and Obama are expected to deliver remarks. The event that could draw upwards of 15,000 people.

“I would expect there would be a diverse crowd on the South Lawn of the White House and the Ellipse to attend that ceremony,” Earnest said Friday.

“I think the diversity of that crowd reflects the diversity of the people in this country that are moved by the teachings and actions of the pope.”

White House aides on Thursday evening downplayed differences between positions of the pope and the Obama administration, instead focusing on potential areas of mutual interest, such as climate change.

— This story was updated at 1:56 p.m.

Tags Barack Obama Pope Francis