close
Retired Navy SEAL Mike Sarraille responds to Pope Francis’ Christmas message calling for peace during on ‘FOX & Friends.’
A Spanish bishop rebuked comments made by some priests on a weekly internet program about praying for Pope Francis to die as soon as possible. The priests later apologized.
Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves of Toledo posted a statement on the archdiocese website Wednesday saying it rejected the comments and warned that it may take “corrective measures,” without elaborating.
The statement followed an episode of a program on YouTube called “The Sacristy of the Vendée. A counter-revolutionary priestly gathering” earlier this month. In it, a Toledo priest makes an introductory salute saying, “I also pray a lot for the Pope, so that he can go to heaven as soon as possible.”
POPE FRANCIS HOSPITALIZED BRIEFLY AFTER DEALING WITH FLU SYMPTOMS
Another priest expressed his support for this while the conversation group, which involved six Spanish-speaking priests from different countries, laughed over the comments.
The group then went on to discuss different religious, social and political issues, mostly from a conservative point of view.
In his statement, Chavez says he expresses his “profound rejection of any manifestation of disaffection towards the person and ministry of the Holy Father,” adding that it has told the priests they should seek forgiveness.
Pope Francis at his weekly audience in the Vatican on Feb. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
The statement says the archbishopric is not responsible for or represented by the statements made by the priests in the internet program.
In messages Wednesday posted on its X platform account, The Sacristy of the Vendée group apologized. “We are sorry for the unfortunate comment, said in a humorous tone, about ‘praying for the Pope to go to Heaven as soon as possible,’” it said.
“It is a comment in bad taste and, although it does not express wishes for the death of the Pope, as some media have maliciously spread, … we understand that it can be understood that way,” the group said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
It said they reiterate their adherence to Pope Francis and the unity of the Catholic Church.
You might have noticed that in the past few months, many companies have disclosed data…
Apple has officially launched iOS 26, and with it comes a fresh look and one…
Road crews may soon get a major assist from artificial intelligence. Researchers at Germany's Fraunhofer…
The holidays are supposed to be a season of generosity, family and giving back. For…
DENVER – Scams targeting older Americans are surging, and federal officials are warning that the…
Artificial intelligence can do a lot for us. Need to draft an email? AI has…