The Dudeism Forum

Say what you will about the Vatican, the Pope Dude came through on this one.
Pederass or not ...

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/12/17/the-pope-s-diplomatic-miracle-ending-the-u-s-cuba-cold-war.html

The Pope's Diplomatic Miracle: Ending the U.S.-Cuba Cold War

Quote
Vatican City ? Shortly after the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected as Pope Francis in March 2013, he reached out to American president Barack Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro to encourage open dialogue in finding a solution to free American Alan Gross.

According to the Vatican, Francis personally followed up and offered to mediate between the two countries as they held secret talks that spanned the last 18 months.  The pope met with Obama in March of 2014 in Rome, during which the two leaders discussed Cuba, according to the Vatican press office.

The Vatican then hosted a final, secret discussion between the two delegations this fall in Rome.  American Secretary of State John Kerry was in Rome this week to discuss an apparent request by the United States for the Vatican?s diplomatic assistance in closing Guantanamo prison. They also discussed Middle East peace.

The Pope was the only world leader, apart from Obama and Castro, involved in the talks, according to the Vatican, which said on Wednesday that it was ?pleased with the announcement? that the United States would drop its policy of isolation against Cuba. According to a statement issued by the Vatican on Wednesday, ?the Holy Father wishes to express his warm congratulations for the historic decision taken by the governments of the United States of America and Cuba to establish diplomatic relations, with the aim of overcoming, in the interest of the citizens of both countries, the difficulties which have marked their recent history."

?In recent months, Pope Francis wrote letters to the President of the Republic of Cuba, His Excellency Mr Ra?l Castro, and the President of the United States, The Honorable Barack H. Obama, and invited them to resolve humanitarian questions of common interest, including the situation of certain prisoners, in order to initiate a new phase in relations between the two Parties,? according to the statement.  ?The Holy See received Delegations of the two countries in the Vatican last October and provided its good offices to facilitate a constructive dialogue on delicate matters, resulting in solutions acceptable to both Parties. The Holy See will continue to assure its support for initiatives which both nations will undertake to strengthen their bilateral relations and promote the wellbeing of their respective citizens.?

I was seriously considering becoming a catholic because of him. I didn't... but it was him that made me consider it.

I agree I was thinking the same thing But then I remembered what my buddy had to do

Quote from: LazyDude on December 18, 2014, 01:58:08 PM
I was seriously considering becoming a catholic because of him. I didn't... but it was him that made me consider it.

How Ironic. I think a lot of Catholics are thinking of becoming less Catholic because of him.
He is better than other popes not because he is more Catholic in my opinion. He is  better because he is less Catholic.
Although I'll grant the Vatican has consistently opposed the US embargo. There are lots of Catholics in Cuba. So this is not really unprecedented. I'm betting the Mob is pretty excited at the prospect of returning to Cuba. Just like the Vatican.