Pope breaks protocol, bows to Queen of Jordan

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telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/the-pope/10276319/Pope-breaks-with-protocol-by-bowing-to-Queen-Rania-of-Jordan.html

I am trying to process this right now to see how I truly feel but bowing to the queen of a Muslim nation gives me an uncomfortable feeling. I understand the need to demonstrate humility in all things, but as the Vicar of Christ the roles are usually reversed when meeting foreign dignitaries. I am afraid of that many will draw wrong conclusions. Please read the article with an open mind and let us discuss this charitably.
 
not any worse than our president bowing to other dignitaries.
 
It makes me uncomfortable too. It surprised me, because Pope Francis seems otherwise to identify with and embrace the poor, disabled, youth, sick–the anawim. Bowing to any monarch (even if they are a Christian) sends the wrong message.

The optics are horrible and I bet it is being shared triumphalistically in Muslim media.
 
To Bow or Not to Bow? Why not?

First, Pope Francis is humble. He’s showing humility to this woman and respect also.

Bowing is a mark of respect, an ultimate diplomatic gesture that conveys regard and sincerity of purpose. It is an act of dignity that can create relationships, bridge gaps and open up new opportunities that anchor well for the future of nations and their people. It sends across positive signals and shows open-mindedness that can help further a cause in a convincing manner.

In my eyes, I see nothing wrong with it. Didn’t Jesus let John the Baptist baptize Him? And John said he was not worthy to do it. (paraphrasing) Jesus was humble all the time. He didn’t dress as a King, He worked (Carpenter) He had troubles like we did. Even the Virgin Mary was humble.

Furthermore, Pope John Paul when at a Papal Mass with hordes of people in a different country, told the select that were able to go up to him not to bow and treat him as God. (Many were doing it) He said he was was just a man like them. He was humble also.

May God bless you abundantly, Sheila
 
I really don’t know what the big deal about this is. There was a person on Facebook earlier who was all upset about it.

If you ask me, it was nothing more than a sign of respect, and, as the upset person finally figured out, it was not a sign of submission to a higher authority because the King of Jordan is an authority, not his wife. He did not bow to the King of Jordan.
 
It is a courteous gesture by an elderly Latino gentleman to a classy and elegant woman. He also gave Cristina Kirchner a big kiss on the cheek when he met her in March despite their differences.
 
illinidiva said:
It is a courteous gesture by an elderly Latino gentleman to a classy and elegant woman. He also gave Cristina Kirchner a big kiss on the cheek when he met her in March despite their differences.
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I agree. Its just a courteous gesture and probably a gesture of respect as well. To me, there’s nothing more to it than that.

I really don’t understand why some people seem to get so worked up over these little things that Pope Francis is doing. And no, I am not making accusations to anyone at all. I am speaking in general. Its just that he’s the Pope and I think we should trust his wisdom. I mean, he’s probably far more wise and knowledgeable than anyone on these boards.
 
In Japan, people bow to each other all the time as a sign of respect. In the Catholic Churches there, instead of shaking hands at the sign of peace, you turn to your neighbors and bow to them. It was the same in India. I don’t see anything wrong with that.
 
Honestly, why the HECK is this such a big deal. In most modern cultures, bowing is a sign of respect, not of submission. I just can’t understand why people are so bent out of shape about this.
 
I’m sorry but we live in an age when everything is photographed, analyzed, and often misinterpreted. Given this, I am of the opinion that it just was not the best decision.
 
illinidiva said:
It is a courteous gesture by an elderly Latino gentleman to a classy and elegant woman. He also gave Cristina Kirchner a big kiss on the cheek when he met her in March despite their differences.
Click to expand...
Exactly. He is a gentleman raised in an era when such courtliness and good manners were the norm.

I noted the expression on her face - our Holy Father totally charmed her and won her heart. She will not forget meeting him in a hurry. 😉
 
Meh.

With everything else that’s going on in the world in general, and in my life in particular, the Pope’s bowing to the Queen of Jordan ranks about a 0.5 on a 0-to-10 scale of “WTH!”.
 
sunnygt said:
Honestly, why the HECK is this such a big deal. In most modern cultures, bowing is a sign of respect, not of submission. I just can’t understand why people are so bent out of shape about this.
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Perhaps because a big deal was made when Obama bowed…now the lines between respect for cultures and being a bad person have been blurred forever 😉
 
Netty1 said:
Exactly. He is a gentleman raised in an era when such courtliness and good manners were the norm.

I noted the expression on her face - our Holy Father totally charmed her and won her heart. She will not forget meeting him in a hurry. 😉
Click to expand...
King Abdullah seemed to appreciate the fact that the Pope was so chivalrous with his wife as well. In another breach of protocol (a much more important one in my opinion), both Jordanian monarchs stayed for the audience, which is frankly a good image for the Middle East.

This is a ridiculous nitpick. The more important story is the Pope meets with important Mideast ally to discuss Syrian war and help out persecuted Christian minority.
 
Render unto Caesar… When in Rome… yadda yadda…

A show of respect. He is trying to be humble like Christ. A non-issue. I think if the Jordanian Royals were visiting Vatican City, they would have extended some courtesy to His Holiness.

It’s all good in tha hood, baby. 👍
 
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