I spent a year working in the Vatican as part of my theology training (had to live in Rome, though, not Vatican City). I made a lot of friends (priests) there, several of whom I keep in close contact with (sorry for the grammar!). I said from the beginning the Pope didn’t even know who Kim Davis was and that he’d been set up. Someone asked me - in spite - if I’d confirmed the Pope had been “used.” At the time, I simply replied “yes” because I didn’t know if the story had come out yet. I see it has. I wrote one of my priest friends at the Vatican last night, and he confirmed what this person has in the article you linked to. The Pope was set up by those who do not like him, though I will name no names. (Sadly, politics has always been a part of Vatican City.) The Pope DOES believe in conscientious objection, but NOT when one has sworn an oath before God to uphold the law. He did NOT know Kim Davis. (This comes from a priest at the Vatican, not me. I am no longer in Rome. I work in New England.)
Personally, I ADORED and LOVED St. JP II. I know Pope Francis is very different from St. JP II and Pope Benedict, however I love all three of them and believe all three to be saintly, godly men. I believe the politics behind this are awful, and I believe what was done to Pope Francis was awful. He is our Holy Father, agree with him or not.
In the end, I think the whole thing will backfire on Kim Davis. No one uses our Pontiff and gets away with it. God does not allow that. Knowing that some in the Vatican are attempting to use the Pope, I will double or triple my prayers for him. This should not have happened to such a loving man. I’m sure Pope Francis loves Kim Davis because he loves everyone, but he would not have met with her had he known the facts, and I’ve been told by a priest at the Vatican, although he cannot confirm it, that the “meeting” was only a 10- or 15-second “reception line” thing at the host’s residence…
I believe Kim Davis has the right to object - by quitting her job. She is not in the private sector, she is a government official who swore an oath to uphold the law, something she is not doing. Had she been in the private sector, my view would be different.
I think we all need to pray for our beloved Holy Father. He asked us to anyway. I know I will be praying for him.