Two days ago, I tweeted out the following which has since been seen some 105,000 times on X. Some were critical of me, saying Francis is only trying to convert this person in the spirit of Christ eating with sinners and tax collectors:

Francis meets with Mexican transexual activist and Netflix actor, Nava Mau, in a private meeting at the Casa Santa Marta.
God helps us, but as a faithful Catholic I accuse Francis of causing massive scandal throughout the world. As the father of seven, I cannot understand how any… pic.twitter.com/aO03RMYZz2

— Michael J. Matt (@Michael_J_Matt) November 26, 2024

This is beyond idiotic, and here’s why.

After the photos of the meeting went viral on the Internet, Nava Mau revealed the following on Instagram: “Not ever in my life did I imagine I would be sitting next to the pope in his residence, let alone speak with him for an hour alongside six LGBTQ+ advocates from around the world. I told him about Baby Reindeer, and what it meant for so many millions of people around the world to now know a trans woman who is empowered, self-possessed, and beloved.”

He’s either doing these things intentionally, or Team Francis is woefully inept at messaging. Either way, it’s a scandal and, either way, it’s on them.

Mau told fans that the Pope’s parting words were “that he wishes us all the love and happiness we desire, and that we should keep fighting.” According to Mau, Francis said nothing about "repent and sin no more." 

The takeaway? No matter what Francis's intentions may or may not have been, he is the pope and thus the onus is on him to prevent these horrific scandals. In this case, what the world saw is a smiling pope, sitting with a man in a dress. And the incident goes viral, with the woke radicals claiming victory, the neo-Catholics claiming it’s not what it seems, and the Traditionalists begging God to spare their children from the wrath of God that is surely imminent.

Here’s how all of this can be easily resolved. If the pope disapproves of Mau's lifestyle and activism, then let the Vatican Press Office make a statement of correction and clarification. In the absence of any such clarification, we the faithful can only conclude that Mau's Instagram takeaway is blessed and approved by the pope.

Our takeaway? He’s either doing these things intentionally, or Team Francis is woefully inept at messaging. Either way, it’s a scandal and, either way, it’s on them.