By Philip F. Lawler
Let’s make something clear right away. Pope Benedict has not endorsed
the Obama administration’s gun-control plans. The Pope has said nothing
on the subject. But Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the
Vatican press office—has released a statement on gun control,
in his weekly editorial commentary for Vatican Radio. Inevitably his
editorial will be portrayed by careless reporters as an official
statement of the Vatican’s position. It is not; Father Lombardi does not
set policy for the Vatican, or make authoritative statements for the
Catholic Church. 
