14 DAY TRIAL // In an interview from yesterday, U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about the issue of the nationality of the pope, as some believe having an American pope could create a conflict of interest.
The interview by ABC, a full transcript of which can be read here, begins with the interviewer asking the president if he believes an American pope would, basically, take orders from him.
As reported earlier, the new pope is actually an American pope. 76-year-old Jorge Mario Bergoglio has taken the holy name of Pope Francis I and has served as cardinal in Buenos Aires, Argentina until now.
Obama stresses that a U.S. pope would not follow guidelines imposed by the U.S. government, as there are already tensions between the Catholic church and the Obama administration.
The question is why some are against a U.S. pope, believing he would be committed to serving the country's interests, and not those of the church. Tell me what you think of the issue by putting down your opinion in the comments area.