Not quite a denial

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Feb 07, 2005

When he gave his blessing to the Angelus audience on Sunday, the Pope's voice sounded, frankly, horrible. But then it got better. A lot better. So much better that some people were suspicious-- especially because, right at the point when his voice improved, the Pope also switched from Latin to Italian, in mid-prayer-- despite the fact that an aide was holding a text in front of him. (See today's Forum story.)

Suspicious reporters concluded that the Vatican had dubbed in an old tape of the Pope, giving his blessing in a clear voice, in Italian. Appalled by their cynicism, the director fo the Vatican press office huffed that "the words of the Holy Father during the blessing this morning were pronounced at the same time when we heard them on the direct broadcast."

Do you notice what I noticed? That statement by Joaquin Navarro-Valls could be literally accurate, and the suspicious reporters might still be right.