First American Pope Snubs White House as Vatican Feud Reaches Breaking Point

Some see it as disagreement.

Others as independence.

It may be both.

In diplomacy, what is not done can speak as clearly as what is.

A Careful Balance

Reports suggest that communication between Washington and the Vatican continues, though without visible warmth.

That is not unusual.

When two forms of authority—political and moral—intersect, they rarely move in complete alignment. Each has its own responsibility, its own audience, and its own limits.