General Grant’s Catholic Encounter
BY JOE SIXPACK After serving his term as president, U.S. Grant went with his wife on a world tour. One of the stops on their trip was the Vatican. When Grant was presented to the Pope, the Holy Father said, “I want to thank you for the religious privileges you granted to Catholic soldiers in your armies.” Thinking back, the general couldn’t recall any special privileges he’d granted to Catholics. Perceiving this, Pope Leo XIII explained, “I’m referring to the fact that before every battle you told your officers to allow the Catholic soldiers an opportunity to go to Confession.” Grant replied rather directly, as was his manner, “I did that as a military measure, because my soldiers fought better…Continue Reading