Michael Phelps turns down chance to meet with Pope Benedict
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Michael Phelps / Pope Benedict XVI

Rome, Italy, Jul 31, 2009 / 04:58 pm (CNA).- Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has decided to skip a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in order to rest for his final individual race in the FINA World Championships.

CNA had reported that Michael Phelps would be among the approximately 100 swimmers to be met by Pope Benedict on Saturday at the pontiff’s summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.

According to the Associated Press, Phelps’ coach Bob Bowman said the athlete will be resting after three races Friday and will have the final of the 100-meter butterfly on Saturday night.

Michael Phelps’ Facebook profile reports “No Answer” for his religion. His MySpace page describes him as “Christian-other.”

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: benB
Skokie, Ill 08/24/2009 05:33 PM EST
I wouldnt give up a chance to meet the mystery of INIQUITY either. That ole Babylonian dogg.
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Published by: Jeff Wynne
Quakertown, PA USA 08/09/2009 01:04 AM EST
It occurs to me that this article is an example of the sin of scandal. There is no reason to attack a person's reputation, especially if the person in not a Catholic, for turning down a visit to the Pope.
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Published by: Michael
Mayfield/KY/USA 08/06/2009 07:23 AM EST
Surely CNA can find more important material with which to fill its space. This non-story is irrelevant. It's not as if the meeting was going to be one-on-one.
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Published by: JLS
Riverside, CA, USA 08/05/2009 01:50 AM EST
Subsequently, Phelps set a new world record; the other swimmers didn't.
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Published by: Missy
Denver CO 08/03/2009 11:54 PM EST
I guess Phelps just found out the Pope doesn't smoke pot!! LOL
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Published by: TMG
Omaha, NE USA 08/03/2009 08:04 PM EST
I feel sorry for this young man...he reached his peak last year at the Olympics and should have moved on and grown up. I don't think he knows how to do anything else but compete in swimming competitions, sad. Narcissism also comes to mind here...
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Published by: MK
STL 08/03/2009 05:22 PM EST
Yeah.. I'd be a little apprehensive about turning down a meeting with the Pope. But who cares, if Michael is not Catholic he just simply may not view the Pope as someone all that important.
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Published by: Connie Smith
Rio Rancho, New Mexico 08/03/2009 12:16 PM EST
It seems that he is relying on his own and a "Blessing" would go much further than rest!
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Published by: GML
LOL, FL 08/01/2009 10:04 PM EST
CNA should not waste time publishing this. Phelps is not even a good role model. A good swimmer - that's all he is.
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Published by: MJC
Richardson, Texas 08/01/2009 05:29 PM EST
It's a shame Michael Phelps passed on this wonderful opportunity to meet the Pope...the silly and unfortunate things we do as youth…and what a privileged it would be to praise and give thanksgiving to God in the “Big House” for all those gold metals won at the Olympics. Hopefully he gave thanks in the privacy of his own room.
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Published by: Sioux
Mineral Wells/Texas/USA 08/01/2009 01:49 PM EST
How disappointing. What a wonderful opportunity...and he chose to miss it!
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Published by: carl
charlotte 08/01/2009 12:17 PM EST
turn down meeting the Pope to rest? does he think the Pope was going to take him mountain climbing or something?
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Published by: m
oklahoma 08/01/2009 11:43 AM EST
How sad for Michael.
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Published by: Travis
Buckley, WA USA 08/01/2009 11:26 AM EST
It seems pretty clear Phelps needs to rest. I don't like the slant of this story.
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Published by: Chris Roberts
Mercer Island, WA 08/01/2009 11:21 AM EST
Don't think the Pope is as high on his list as pot is.
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Published by: AL ANDREOZZI
PALM HARBOR FL .34684 08/01/2009 10:12 AM EST
THE POPE SHOULD BE HAPPY TO SEE HIM NEXT TIME. I WENT TO ITALY LAST YEAR AND THE HOLY FATHER WAS NOT AT THE VATICAN. HE WAS OUT DOING HIS JOB. LIKE
MICHEAL IS THIS TIME
IT NOT GOOD TO HEAR THIS YOU MADE IT SOUND LIKE MICHEAL DID'NT CARE ABOUT THE HOLY FATHER. THE WORDS TURN DOWN WAS WRONG.
MICHEAL DID NOT CARE ABOUT THE HOLY FATHER.
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Published by: EJ Passeos
Cuyahoga Falls, OH USA 08/01/2009 07:23 AM EST
Totally appalling. Zero excuse.
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Published by: Robert Martino Sr.
Elmira, NY USA 08/01/2009 03:59 AM EST
Mr. Phelps must be awful tired. The other hundred swimmers apparently have enough energy to meet with the Pope.
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Published by: JLS
Riverside CA USA 07/31/2009 11:08 PM EST
I agree with Phelps. He wins because he focuses on his sport. The Vatican should have set up the visits after the competition, so as not to disrupt the athletes' "competitive rhythm".
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Published by: NAS
Plainfield, IL USA 07/31/2009 05:29 PM EST
Rate: Good
Hmmm...I think meeting with the Pope would give him better help for his race then just plain old rest. LoL
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