In a notable incident at the U.S. Capitol, Archbishop Timothy Broglio reportedly declined to administer Holy Communion to 84-year-old former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi following a Mass celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, 2024.
Nancy Pelosi, known for her advocacy for abortion rights, sought to receive the sacrament from Broglio after the Mass had concluded. However, the Archbishop chose not to accede to her request. According to reports from Catholic News Agency (CNA), this decision was made because the Mass had already ended, and no extra hosts were consecrated for her, as clarified by Michelle Gress, executive director at the USCCB’s office of government relations.
This development comes in the wake of directives from San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, who has prohibited Pelosi from receiving Communion within his archdiocese due to her public support for abortion rights. Despite this, Pelosi has continued to partake in Communion elsewhere, including during a Mass with Pope Francis, which has fueled ongoing discussions within the Catholic Church about the Communion practices of public figures.
The encounter between Pelosi and Broglio was amicable; Pelosi greeted the Archbishop warmly, complimenting his reputation and discussing historical events like the 200th anniversary of Marquis de Lafayette’s address to Congress. However, Broglio’s refusal to give her Communion highlights the persistent tension regarding how the Church addresses its members in public office whose actions or policies conflict with Church teachings.
This episode involving the 84-year-old Pelosi has reignited debates among Catholics and political commentators, spotlighting the intricate relationship between faith, politics, and personal beliefs.
