We begin today's roundup with
Eugene Robinson's piece on Pope Francis and his optimistic message to Congress:
After the speech, Francis emerged on the speaker’s balcony at the Capitol to briefly address a vast crowd. Pointedly, he asked nonbelievers who could not pray for him to instead send him their good wishes. Many surely did, because the pope’s visit is having an impact far beyond the 70 million Americans who are Roman Catholics.
So much of our political life is sour and conflictive. Francis’s message is optimistic and embracing. He reminds us of something elemental but easily forgotten: our common humanity.
With his intellect, charisma, moral authority and irresistible smile, Francis challenges us to remember that whatever our political or theological differences, we are all in this together. For those paying attention, he has shown how to raise our political discourse from the ridiculous to the sublime.
Emma Green at The Atlantic:
During Francis’s visit thus far, most of the attention has gone to the big-ticket speeches—to Congress, to the White House, to his Friday address to the United Nations. And Francis is a clever translator. When addressing these elite crowds, he has consistently spoken about those who are in extreme poverty and those who are suffering. Indeed, these speeches may have the greatest measurable effect: When Francis speaks before the United Nations, for example, he will be setting the stage for the upcoming climate-change conference in Paris.
Still, the contrast between the neatly coiffured, impeccably clad members of Congress and the homeless men and women Francis later met was striking. Francis praised two Catholic heroes—at least one of whom is on the way to sainthood—who walked among the “least of these.” Though they may care about poverty, the elites of Washington, D.C., and New York City live in a rarified stratosphere, filled with catered breakfasts and stately furniture and monied peers. Francis often speaks of a culture of encounter: “Persons always live in relationship. We come from others, we belong to others, and our lives are enlarged by our encounter with others,” as he wrote in a co-authored encyclical, Lumen Fidei. The expectation of this speech was not that, though; it was a message directed to the powerful, in the hope that they might use their power for good.
More on this story below the fold.
The Miami Herald:
The pope showed that he is a master of the subtle and veiled comment. His statements could be interpreted several ways, with listeners hearing what most touches their hearts and aligns with their beliefs. He reprimands with compliments, reminiscent of a kindly teacher who notes a failure by saying you’re not living up to your potential. You’re flattered and want to do better.
True, the pontiff’s call to action dealt with issues mainly in line with a liberal agenda — climate change, acceptance of immigrants, ending the death penalty. But the call to do better was directed to all.
The Boston Herald:
It’s easy to lose sight of that bigger picture in the midst of the political fray. “The common good” too often lost in the debate of the moment.
And while Francis’ own political agenda was already well-known — dealing with climate change, ending the death penalty worldwide, dealing with the growing refugee crisis and with immigration generally — he made his case in the gentle tones of a pastor.
Perhaps on the issue of dealing with those refugees and with the thorny issue of immigration, the pope’s calm will be heard over the din of gratuitous nastiness (and, yes, that would include the whole Donald Trump crusade).
Joe Henderson at
The Tampa Tribune:
You know who can relate best to Pope Francis?
It’s not the politicians and other elite who had prime seats on Thursday for his address to Congress. It’s the people who serve in soup kitchens so the hungry will have something to eat. It’s those who venture out on freezing nights with coffee and blankets for the homeless. It’s the ones who volunteer to help the elderly, even if it’s just to hold their hand and talk.
It’s those who adopt special-needs kids, or make an out-of-the-way visit to give words of comfort. Or they answer the phone when someone calls at midnight and doesn’t know where to turn.
It’s those indispensable people who serve without being asked and place a higher priority on your well-being than theirs. They don’t give two hoots about politics and the ongoing social Armageddon between liberals and conservatives.
They are all around us every day. We just have to look for them.