A strange attitude towards distributing communion from the pope, no?

[marytk]

Right. Plus I imagine there are plenty of people who would turn the Eucharist into some sort of “souvenir” that they received directly from the Pope. That’s another danger he’d want to avoid.

This is what I thought of right away

 

[RPRPsych]

Traditionally, pre Vatican II, the Sovereign Pontiff did not administer communion.

Very interesting! Do you have more information on this?

 

[CB_Catholic]

Could it be for health and stamina reasons? Does he not have but one lung? He seems in great health, but minus a lung and serving communion to that many people?

Pope Francis is not missing a lung. He had part of the upper right lung removed for a severe infection. I could not find out if he had the whole upper right lobe (the right lung has 3 lobes) or just a segment removed. This usually does not cause much disability if the person is otherwise healthy. That was 50 years ago apparently, and he recovered fully.

 

[fred_conty]

The holy Father knows important people, their lives, and probably their families as well. He may know some who are not worthy of communion and does not want to be a part of a bad communion reception. Other priests may not be know them this well and would not hurt them in this fashion.

 

[zz912]

I find this statement confusing. If a priest knows that someone isn’t worthy to receive ( he goes on to state people known to be living double lives), then why allow them to partake while sitting by a having an assistant, as he put it, distribute to them?

Because the priest may not recognize the person right away as someone who should be denied Communion. And once it is done, it is done. As an example, by the time the Pope realizes it, the photo of the pro-abortion politician receiving from the Pope has gone across the web and splashed on their marketing material.

 

[Gia_B]

Here’s why I think he’s doing it. I can also see a lot of people switching lines so that they can receive directly from the pope rather than a “lesser” priest even though that doesn’t magically make the Eucharist any different. In several of the communion threads here on CAF there are people who will unabashedly tell you that they switch lines to receive from a priest rather than a extraordinary minister because in their minds (I’m not one of them, so I can’t justify it to you) it is somehow better or holier or something. How much more would this mindset apply when one of the people handing out communion is the pope? I can imagine enough people changing lines to seriously mess up the distribution process. The pope’s line would be twice as long as the other one, people would either have to cross in front of each other or take the long way around to get back to their seats, and, when they get their seats, they’d have to climb over their neighbors who, having taken the shorter line, have been seated and praying for several minutes already. It would be a mess.

 

[zab]

I think that Pope Francis stated very clearly why he, as Archbishop, did not serve communion, and I can see how his reasoning would be even stronger as Pope.

Bingo! Nothing more needs to be said.

 

[Joe_5859]

Here’s why I think he’s doing it. I can also see a lot of people switching lines so that they can receive directly from the pope rather than a “lesser” priest even though that doesn’t magically make the Eucharist any different. In several of the communion threads here on CAF there are people who will unabashedly tell you that they switch lines to receive from a priest rather than a extraordinary minister because in their minds (I’m not one of them, so I can’t justify it to you) it is somehow better or holier or something. How much more would this mindset apply when one of the people handing out communion is the pope? I can imagine enough people changing lines to seriously mess up the distribution process. The pope’s line would be twice as long as the other one, people would either have to cross in front of each other or take the long way around to get back to their seats, and, when they get their seats, they’d have to climb over their neighbors who, having taken the shorter line, have been seated and praying for several minutes already. It would be a mess.

At Papal Masses, there aren’t really “Communion lines” to speak of. Priests go into the thick of the crowd and basically keep turning around in a circle. The Pope is also up on the steps of St. Peter’s with only a select group of invited people in the area most near. Everyone else is behind the blockades in St. Peter’s Square.

That is another good, point, though. Even though the group nearby is smaller, it is still a good size and people would definitely be vying to go to the Pope for Communion. Not distributing is an act of humility, really. It’s better for people to focus on Jesus when they are receiving Him in the Eucharist than it is to focus on the person distributing. By removing himself from the equation, Pope Francis helps facilitate that focus.

There is plenty of time for photos and handshakes after Mass.

 

[marywarfield]

My thought, as well. At least someone who may be receiving unworthily can’t receive it from the Pope, make it a Kodak moment and use it as “proof” that they are justified in their sin. (“See?? Even the POPE gave me Eucharist!”)

There’s no way to police (for lack of better terminology) who is receiving Eucharist, so it seems he is avoiding potential scandal.

Consider what a photo op it would be for Nancy Pelosi or the Governor
of New York to receive the Host directly from the Pope.
And then use it to our detriment. I believe the Pope
is being prudent in not allowing the Papal office to be exploited
for political gain.

 

[Brendan]

Right. Plus I imagine there are plenty of people who would turn the Eucharist into some sort of “souvenir” that they received directly from the Pope. That’s another danger he’d want to avoid.

That is why Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict, both offered Holy Communion on the tongue.

It had been reported to Pope John Paul II, that some of the faithful were, in fact, retaining Holy Communion as a souvenir. From then on, +JP-II only offered on the tongue, and had observers to watch to see if anyone attempted to remove the Host from their mouths.

 

[Memaw]

Here’s why I think he’s doing it. I can also see a lot of people switching lines so that they can receive directly from the pope rather than a “lesser” priest even though that doesn’t magically make the Eucharist any different. In several of the communion threads here on CAF there are people who will unabashedly tell you that they switch lines to receive from a priest rather than a extraordinary minister because in their minds (I’m not one of them, so I can’t justify it to you) it is somehow better or holier or something. How much more would this mindset apply when one of the people handing out communion is the pope? I can imagine enough people changing lines to seriously mess up the distribution process. The pope’s line would be twice as long as the other one, people would either have to cross in front of each other or take the long way around to get back to their seats, and, when they get their seats, they’d have to climb over their neighbors who, having taken the shorter line, have been seated and praying for several minutes already. It would be a mess.

When the Pope gives Communion, the people receiving from him are hand picked ahead of time so it is not possible for any of the above to happen. Everything about the Pope’s Mass is carefully planned. God Bless, Memaw

 

[robwar]

Here’s why I think he’s doing it. I can also see a lot of people switching lines so that they can receive directly from the pope rather than a “lesser” priest even though that doesn’t magically make the Eucharist any different. In several of the communion threads here on CAF there are people who will unabashedly tell you that they switch lines to receive from a priest rather than a extraordinary minister because in their minds (I’m not one of them, so I can’t justify it to you) it is somehow better or holier or something. How much more would this mindset apply when one of the people handing out communion is the pope? I can imagine enough people changing lines to seriously mess up the distribution process. The pope’s line would be twice as long as the other one, people would either have to cross in front of each other or take the long way around to get back to their seats, and, when they get their seats, they’d have to climb over their neighbors who, having taken the shorter line, have been seated and praying for several minutes already. It would be a mess.

I had thought of that myself. I would imagine that Holy Father wants the communion recipient to be focused on Jesus in the Eucharist and not on who would be giving it which fits with his emphasis of not to focus on him but on Jesus where it should be.

 

[FAB]

My thought, as well. At least someone who may be receiving unworthily can’t receive it from the Pope, make it a Kodak moment and use it as “proof” that they are justified in their sin. (“See?? Even the POPE gave me Eucharist!”)

There’s no way to police (for lack of better terminology) who is receiving Eucharist, so it seems he is avoiding potential scandal.

Think of how much some of our so called “catholic” politicians who are pro abortion would love to have a pix receiving communion from Pope Francis. His is a wise and prudent decision.

 

[Joe_5859]

That is why Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict, both offered Holy Communion on the tongue.

It had been reported to Pope John Paul II, that some of the faithful were, in fact, retaining Holy Communion as a souvenir. From then on, +JP-II only offered on the tongue, and had observers to watch to see if anyone attempted to remove the Host from their mouths.

That’s right. So I guess the Vatican already has a system in place to prevent that.

 

[ProVobis]

I had thought of that myself. I would imagine that Holy Father wants the communion recipient to be focused on Jesus in the Eucharist and not on who would be giving it which fits with his emphasis of not to focus on him but on Jesus where it should be.

Unfortunately, the reception of communion has apparently become an assertion of rights. But that said, I don’t think it’s a matter of WHO is giving CITH but WHERE. CITH is still an indult and the bishops of each country decide whether CITH should be allowed there. Since the Pope is the bishop of Rome, I guess he can determine whether it’s allowed there. But in so doing he does not take away bishops’ decisions on the matter outside Rome. Just saying.