Fact check: Can divorced and remarried Catholics receive communion according to Pope Leo's teachings?

1. Summary of the results

The question of whether divorced and remarried Catholics can receive communion according to Pope Leo's teachings is complex and not directly addressed in most of the provided analyses ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}. However, Pope Leo XIII's 1880 encyclical Arcanum is cited in one analysis as condemning divorce and stating that marriage after divorce is "unthinkable," implying that those who remarry after a divorce are not in a valid sacramental marriage and therefore would be barred from receiving Holy Communion ^[1]. Another analysis notes that the Church's teaching, reaffirmed by John Paul II, is that Catholics who are divorced and remarried without an annulment may not receive Communion, which aligns with the doctrinal line upheld by Pope Leo XIII ^[5]. The Church affirms that a new union cannot be recognised as valid if the preceding marriage was valid, and if the divorced are remarried civilly, they find themselves in a situation that objectively contravenes God's law, consequently, they cannot receive Holy Communion as long as this situation persists ^[6].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some analyses do not specifically address Pope Leo's teachings on the matter ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}, instead discussing the views of other popes, such as Pope Francis, or the ongoing debate within the Church. The importance of marriage and the negative consequences of divorce are emphasized in one analysis, suggesting that the Church's stance on these issues is rooted in its teachings on the sanctity of marriage ^[1]. Additionally, the controversy surrounding Pope Francis' views on divorced and remarried Catholics receiving communion is mentioned, with some arguing that the Church's traditional teaching is that they cannot receive Holy Communion without an annulment ^[2]. Case-by-case discretion is also mentioned as a possible approach, as suggested by Pope Francis ^[5]. The following are key points to consider:

• The Church's teaching on the sanctity of marriage and the consequences of divorce ^[1]
• The controversy surrounding Pope Francis' views on divorced and remarried Catholics receiving communion ^[2]
• The possibility of case-by-case discretion, as suggested by Pope Francis ^[5]
• The importance of understanding Pope Leo XIII's teachings in the context of the Church's overall doctrine on marriage and communion ^[1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading in that it implies Pope Leo's teachings are the sole or primary basis for determining whether divorced and remarried Catholics can receive communion, when in fact, the Church's teaching on this matter is more complex and has been addressed by multiple popes ^{[6] [2] [5]}. Pope Francis' views on the matter, which suggest possible case-by-case discretion, may be seen as a departure from the traditional teaching, and some may argue that this represents a "rupture" with Church teaching ^[4]. The following groups may benefit from this framing:

• Those who support a more traditional interpretation of Church teaching on marriage and communion may benefit from emphasizing Pope Leo's teachings and the Church's traditional stance ^{[6] [1]}
• Those who support a more nuanced or case-by-case approach, as suggested by Pope Francis, may benefit from emphasizing the importance of discretion and compassion in individual circumstances ^{[2] [5]}
• Those who are opposed to any change in the Church's teaching on marriage and communion may benefit from highlighting the controversy surrounding Pope Francis' views and the potential for a "rupture" with Church teaching ^{[4] [6] [2] [4] [1] [5]}