Few months earlier, SecState Pompeo. Why the interest by U.S.?
It is evident that the White House is aware that right now Rome represents a dangerous unknown factor in the global confrontation between the USA and China.
Seen from overseas, both the Vatican and the Italian government must appear wavering, confused and in disarray. Both of them have exposed themselves to Chinese influence, a bit like sorcerers’ apprentices.
Apart from U.S. concerns, there are those priests who won’t join the ChiCom govt. program and are in dire straits.
Like the (fellow) Jesuits in Buenos Aires whose faculties Francis, then SJ provincial, lifted. Later they paid dearly for this disavowal.
Blithe Spirit 