MikeLigalig.com

A photo of the empty white papal armchair apparently made the rounds in Italian newspapers. The RAI National Symphony Orchestra concert, directed by conductor Juraj Valcuha of Slovakia, took place on Saturday and was attended by a crowd of cardinals and Italian dignitaries. An archbishop was forced to announce to the crowd, however, that Pope Francis had an "urgent commitment that cannot be postponed" and thus would not attend.

The cardinals were assured that health was not the reason for the pontiff's decision not to attend, and Reuters noted that they realized that the message was that the church is in crisis, and that they had too much work to do to take time off to attend social events.

"In Argentina, they probably knew not to arrange social events like concerts for him because he probably wouldn't go," the Vatican source added.

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Just last week, Francis asked hundreds of papal representatives who are posted across the globe to "carry Christ to the world" and to detach themselves from the "bourgeoisie spirit and life."

"There is always the danger, even for the men of the Church, to surrender to – the spirit of the world, which leads to action for self-fulfillment and not for the glory of God, in that sort of 'bourgeoisie spirit and life' which leads people to settle and seek a peaceful and comfortable life," Pope Francis said.

"These are strong but true words: giving in to worldly spirit exposes us pastors to ridicule, perhaps we may be applauded by some, but those same people who seem to approve of us, then criticize us behind our backs."

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personally, i believe concerts are not lavish.  they're just formal events.  (of course, i don't have rock concerts in mind here, which are chaotic.)  so why read more into his absence when the reason announced was enough? 

on the other hand, this media report wasn't made by a mediaman for nothing.  they who need to whip up a storm to come up with an interesting story had to sometimes write stories that teeter on the thin line between truth and titillation.

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