Pope Tour Continues as Expected …
…with adoring throngs and progressive political commentary.
Pope Francis continued his American tour, touching down in Philadelphia this morning to ride by Fiat-motorcade to the downtown Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul and celebrating Mass for about 1,600 people.
In his homily, the papal homily encouraged a greater role for women and laity:
The pope stopped by a nearby seminary for a rest after presiding over a Mass at Philadelphia’s cathedral in the morning, where he called on women and youth to play a greater role in strengthening the Catholic Church in America, while keeping the institution’s existing authority in place.
In his homily, the pope singled out the story of Katharine Drexel, a Philadelphia-born heiress who became a nun and then, after her death, a saint. Pope Francis told the story of how Drexel had asked Pope Leo XIII for help with American missions and the pope replied, ‘What are you going to do?’
At Philadelphia’s Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Pope Francis repeated that question in Spanish, “y tu?” — and what about you? — again and again as he reflected on the church’s role in a changing society and urged the faithful to support women and youth.
However, his earlier stops have already had their repercussions. One incident involves a congressman with a mistaken concept of “holy water”.
A congressman stole the water glass Pope Francis was drinking out of during his address at the White House on Thursday.
Representative Bob Brady, a devout Catholic and Democrat from Pennsylvania immediately made his way to the podium after Pope Francis finished speaking and grabbed the glass that was still filled with water.
He then drank the water, gave some of the water to his wife Debra, and saved the rest for his grandchildren.
Representative Brady took photos as well, and had his staff send them out to the press.
Given the amount of joy that liberals have expressed at the papal addresses covering such topics as global warming and the death penalty, one has to wonder if there isn’t some amount of Kool-Aid in the glass. Slate is positively gleeful at the thought of Pope Francis “scaring” conservatives:
Republican legislators who attended Pope Francis’ address to Congress were apparently relieved that he didn’t threaten them with fire and brimstone, and that he said that human activity is causing “environmental deterioration,” rather than using the dreaded words “climate change” or “global warming.” What remains clear, however, is that they won’t listen to anyone about this subject – not the overwhelming majority of scientists, not economists, not public policy analysts, and not the world’s most famous religious leader. As Marsha Blackburn, who ranks second on the House Energy Committee, declared, in connection with the pope’s address, “I don’t think you will see me being persuaded.”
Actually, Pope Francis isn’t scaring conservatives as much as angering those who don’t align with his geopolitical views. The papal remarks on the Iran deal are a prime example of the type of statement that conservatives in the Catholic Church find disconcerting:
Pope Francis offered his clearest praise yet for the international nuclear deal with Iran, in a speech before the United Nations General Assembly.
The deal “is proof of the potential of political good will and of law, exercised with sincerity, patience and constancy,” the pope said before a gathering of hundreds of global diplomats, according to an English translation of his prepared remarks.
“I express my hope that this agreement will be lasting and efficacious, and bring forth the desired fruits with the cooperation of all the parties involved,” he added.
“There is urgent need to work for a world free of nuclear weapons, in full application of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, in letter and spirit, with the goal of a complete prohibition of these weapons.”
Francis’s comments about the nuclear pact came before an extended portion on the “negative effects of military and political interventions,” which appeared to echo the Obama administration’s assertion that the only alternative to the agreement is military action.
The Iran Deal is a complete disaster, as Legal Insurrection has pointed out numerous times in detail. An while Pope Francis puts his faith in Iranian good will and of the honest application of law, the truth is that neither will be forthcoming.
Pope Francis asked the US Congress to “stop the polarization“. Sadly, I sense his visit has created quite a bit more of it within his own church, because many Catholics willcontinue fighting against policy based on bad science and decrying agreements with bad actors.
I must admit, I am looking forward to the end of his visit to the US very much. He seems to have given his blessing to nearly every liberal ideal that has undermined this country in recent years.
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Comments
If the pope is concerned about human rights, then he will visit the Planned Parenthood corporation, remark on the products and services offered by the abortion industry, and the State-established pro-choice cult that resumed sacrificial rites, etc. Otherwise, any pleas made on the basis of intrinsic or exceptional value of human life are fraudulent implying an ulterior motive. Well, that, or people have progressed to an extraordinary state of corruption that precludes honest assessments of reality, let alone reconciling moral and natural imperatives.
I wonder how the Cubans, who fled their country with nothing but the clothes on their back and those who were tortured by Castro, feel when they see a photo of Pope Francis looking very cozy with a terrorist? When our priest has to tell us to give Pope Francis a chance, you know there’s a lot of grumbling. According to an article I read, Pope Benedict abdicated because the “Mafia” Club in the Vatican wanted to elect someone who would modernize the Catholic Church. There are some issues on which I agree with the Pope, but he’s too far left for me – and evidently a lot of Catholics.
I don’t see the Pope giving his blessing to “every liberal idea that has undermined this country…” I do see him outlining a lot of the problems we face worldwide, without prescribing specific solutions, which is what he ought to do.
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/09/transcript-pope-francis-addresses-joint-session-of-congress/
For example his statement that human activity is causing “environmental deterioration,” is true. His statement, taken as a whole, does not support Slates’ nonsensical and pernicious formulation. Here it is:
” In Laudato Si’, I call for a courageous and responsible effort to “redirect our steps” (ibid., 61), and to avert the most serious effects of the environmental deterioration caused by human activity. I am convinced that we can make a difference and I have no doubt that the United States – and this Congress – have an important role to play. Now is the time for courageous actions and strategies, aimed at implementing a “culture of care” (ibid., 231) and “an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature” (ibid., 139). “We have the freedom needed to limit and direct technology” (ibid., 112); “to devise intelligent ways of… developing and limiting our power” (ibid., 78); and to put technology “at the service of another type of progress, one which is healthier, more human, more social, more integral” (ibid., 112). In this regard, I am confident that America’s outstanding academic and research institutions can make a vital contribution in the years ahead. ”
The US has been in the lead to develop a “culture of care” over the last several decades, and in the US, we have a consensus that people and businesses should clean up their messes. The US has led the world in cleaning up its air and waterways.
Notice also that there is nothing here about the “climate change,” which is something distinct from both “climate deterioration” and “global warming.” Where is “climate deterioration,” and what might the US do about it? Well, it turns out that there is a recent report that air pollution causes a lot of ill health — it is in India, where millions of people still use wood burning stoves in their homes. The most likely source of a better-designed stove is…..the US.
Where is the worst air pollution? It’s not the US, but it might be China. The US has the technology to reduce pollution from industrial processes, and might yet license more of it to China.
Notice also that he has a concern for reducing pollution along with combatting poverty. This is solid support for the conservative point that overregulation that kills jobs is counterproductive.
In considering anybody’s public statement, particularly a formal public statement, it is wise remember that Slate is usually FOS, and instead of swallowing what those unacademic nitwits serve up whole, you should pay attention to the underlying document, and think about what the dishonest writer wants you to miss.
No, it is not. The environment is improving, not deteriorating.
” it is in India, where millions of people still use wood burning stoves in their homes. The most likely source of a better-designed stove is…..the US.”
Actually, they burn cow doo-doo. And they cannot now, nor will they be able to afford better designed cow doo-doo stoves built in the USA or India.
“Where is the worst air pollution? It’s not the US, but it might be China. The US has the technology to reduce pollution from industrial processes, and might yet license more of it to China.”
It’s not “might be China”. China is a nightmare of pollution, air and water. They will not pay for a license.
Many of us see the pope for what he truly is, a Marxist, intent upon destroying western civilization.
Thank you for your Catholic perspective Leslie.
This Pope obviously doesn’t understand moral, scientific and sovereign boundaries. He understands only “Vatican” populist boundaries, boundaries that keep the Vatican relevant in the social media loop.
In accounting, “Goodwill’ is applied to conceptual entities that desire no harm to your enterprise and, more positively, desire and approve of your existence.
Iran has vocally restated “Death to America” in total opposition to any understanding of goodwill. The Pope should address the Iranians specifically, emphatically and pastorally.
That face says it all.
I am catholic but I don’t take kindly to a socialist pontiff from Argentina coming to USA and lecturing on matters of politics, national sovereignty, and faux science frauds like global warming. These are all issues upon which the Pope is not qualified to speak, whether by education or experience. He is a hypocrite that lives in a city state that is completely surrounded on all sides with high fortress walls and that city state has the toughest immigration laws in the world. Global warming is not science but a giant financial fraud to many and a pseudo religion to others. The Pope needs to decide which religion he will serve. As a socialist from Argentina the Pope has no understanding of how USA capitalism has been the biggest force for good and charity the world has ever known. He comes to Cuba and meets no prisoners or dissidents and comes to USA and says nothing directly about the sin of abortion and then meets with USA prisoners. He fails to address gay marriage in any meaningful way. Finally he pronounces Islam a beautiful religion of peace. He is by far the worst Pope in my lifetime and when it comes to non religious matters like science and politics and the USA he is an inept fool. I’ll pray that he turns back to religion and leaves science and politics to those who actually know something about it.