Spanish Priests Rebuked for Mock Prayer Wishing Pope Francis's Swift Passage to Heaven

A group of priests faced criticism and potential corrective measures for joking about Pope Francis dying 'as soon as possible' during a YouTube stream.

• Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves of Toledo condemned the comments made during a conservative-leaning gathering, emphasizing a 'profound rejection of any manifestation of disaffection towards the person and ministry of the Holy Father'.
• The priests involved offered apologies, stating the comment was made in jest and did not express actual wishes for the Pope's death.
• The incident has sparked controversy amidst Pope Francis's progressive stances, which have been met with resistance from more conservative-leaning Catholic leaders.
• Pope Francis, who has faced health challenges recently, was hospitalized briefly for flu symptoms but has since returned to the Vatican.
• The archdiocese clarified it is not responsible for or represented by the comments made by the priests during the video stream.

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