Update: Pope 'refused meeting with Rice'

I don't think you can really make that much of it.

Update: Since the story is getting some traction (slow news day), I'll comment.

From the AFP:

Pope Benedict XVI refused to meet US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in August, saying he was on holiday, an Italian newspaper reported Wednesday.

Rice "made it known to the Vatican that she absolutely had to meet the pope" to boost her diplomatic "credit" ahead of a trip to the Middle East, the Corriere della Sera daily reported without citing its sources.

She was hoping to meet the pontiff at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo at the beginning of August, it said.

"'The pope is on holiday' was the official response," the paper said....The newspaper said the pope had rejected all meetings with political representatives during August.

1) It was August, and the pope really does take a break from meetings during the entire month (as does most the Vatican). I do, however, seem to remember that he broke that general rule for some special situation last year, but at the moment I can't recall the details. (anyone?)

2) If Condi requested a meeting just to "boost her diplomatic credit" than it's not at all surprising the pope would decline. Asking for advice or offering support is one thing. Photoshoots are another.