Famously left out of a papal audience by President Trump in May, the former press secretary was greeted by Pope Francis at the Vatican on Sunday.
As America magazine first reported: “A group of legislators and politicians from around the world gathered in Italy this week for a meeting of the International Catholic Legislators Network, where they were received by Pope Francis at the Vatican.
“Among those gathered was Sean Spicer, the former White House press secretary who was by some accounts snubbed by President Trump in May.”
The Vatican Radio Facebook page shows a photo of Spicer using his cell phone to snap a photo of Pope Francis, “who in an address to the group urged cooperation and bridge-building.”
Other images posted to the Vatican’s photo service page show Spicer greeting the pope personally, said the magazine.
The Washington Post filled in the backstory:
“Spicer, who is Catholic, was serving as President Trump’s press secretary when Trump traveled to the Vatican in May. But Trump didn’t include Spicer in the contingent that held a private audience with Francis — a group that included the president’s family members, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and two more State Department officials, communications adviser Hope Hicks, bodyguard-turned-White House official Keith Schiller and social media director Dan Scavino.
“At the time, some White House watchers speculated that Trump purposely left out his press secretary, who was on shaky ground. And many commentators said they felt bad for Spicer, who attends Mass regularly and would have been deeply moved to meet the pope.”
People shared his good fortune, and mocked it.
Sean Spicer: Bless me, Your Holiness, for I have…
Pope Francis: Shhhh… I read the news. Just bring it in for a hug, my child.— Matt DeCample (@DeCample) August 29, 2017
Want to know why liberals are decent people? We’re all pretty happy that Sean Spicer got to meet the Pope.
— Benjamin Howard (@BenHowardOPT) August 29, 2017
So glad Sean Spicer finally had the opportunity to meet the Pope. pic.twitter.com/URI8Y3Hbrp
— TrumanCapote’s Ashes (@tcapotesashes) August 29, 2017
#Hardball #inners Pope Francis to Sean Spicer:
I absolve you of your sins.
Say 3 Hail Marys and repeat your confession to Bob Mueller. pic.twitter.com/dZ4fvc9NgJ— harleyb (@harleyb11) August 29, 2017
Video footage of Sean Spicer confessing to the Pope all of the lies he told on Donald Trump’s behalf: pic.twitter.com/r8lQnqzvYh
— TrumpsTaxes (@TrumpsTaxes) August 29, 2017
live shot of Sean Spicer forcing his way into the Vatican to meet the pope pic.twitter.com/m5XGgLfr7E
— Tommy Tighe (@theghissilent) August 29, 2017