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blog

Vatican Intrigue: Secret Letter Questions Pope

VATICAN CITY — A letter delivered to Pope Francis, reportedly signed by 13 Roman Catholic cardinals, questions whether the pontiff has organized the ongoing Synod on the Family in such a way that ensures "predetermined results on important controversial issues," Italian weekly magazine L'Espressohas reported.

The magazine's longtime Vatican correspondent Sandro Magister reported the exclusive story on the L'Espresso website late Monday, adding intrigue to the high-stakes meeting currently taking place and raising the specter of a mini-rebellion among some of the senior clerics who elected Francis two years ago.

The letter alludes to a "series of concerns" about procedural questions but may signal deeper worries about the Pope's eagerness to open debates on long-shut issues such as gay marriage and communion for divorced and remarried Catholics.

But several of the cardinals L'Espresso cited have either denied signing the letter or said the content is different than what has been reported. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi did not deny the existence of the letter.

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Geopolitics

Henry Kissinger: Very Mixed World Reaction To Death Of The Machiavelli Of D.C.

China shares praise, Cambodia throws shade, Germans show pride … and from Moscow?

Black and white photograph of Henry Kissinger wearing a suit and glasses.

May 22, 2008, New York: The late Henry Kissinger poses for a portrait.

Beowulf Sheehan/ZUMA
Valeria Berghinz, Michelle Courtois, Bertrand Hauger

PARIS — The death of Henry Kissinger at the age of 100 marks not only the end of a U.S. foreign policy legend, but the end of an era in geopolitical history. The controversial German-born architect of late 20th-century American power influenced statecraft around the world before, during and well after his years as U.S. secretary of state and national security advisor under two presidents.

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Whether considered the consummate “Machiavellian” operator, bloodstained Cold War puppet master or the embodiment of the American Dream, the entire world is marking the passing of this highly divisive and influential diplomat and power broker:

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