Why Did Pope Francis Meet with Apple’s Tim Cook?

By Xavier Piedra

During a private meeting last week at the Vatican, Apple CEO and LGBT advocate, Tim Cook, and Pope Francis exchanged gifts, ever after Francis made remarks to the Vatican last week that defended traditional marriage in Italy.

“There can be no confusion between the family God wants and any other type of union. The family, founded on indissoluble matrimony that unites and allows procreation, is part of God’s dream and that of his Church for the salvation of humanity."

Tim Cook, the first leader of a Fortune 500 company to come out as gay, has fought for LGBT rights since 2014. “I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me,” Cook said in October 2014.

On the same day he met with Cook, Francis published a message in regards to the Church’s 50th World Day of Social Communications—a day on the Catholic Calendar that brings attention to the world’s system of modern communications—that will take place on May 8.

“Communication has the power to build bridges, to enable encounter and inclusion, and thus to enrich society. How beautiful it is when people select their words and actions with care, in the effort to avoid misunderstandings, to heal wounded memories and to build peace and harmony. Words can build bridges between individuals and within families, social groups and peoples. This is possible both in the material world and the digital world.”

Although details of the meeting were kept under wraps, some believe that the Francis’ willingness to interact with LGBT members should be commended.