Pope visits Congress, homeless in Washington

Francis has been criticized by some Native Americans for his decision to canonize an 18th century missionary, Junipero Serra, on Wednesday.

“I am most grateful for your invitation to address this Joint Session of Congress in “the land of the free and the home of the brave” Pope Francis said”.

New York is the second of three cities the Holy Father will stop in during his September 22 to 27 visit to the United States. He spoke about climate change.

From a visit to ground zero and a school that serves the marginalized to an arena mostly known for its rock stars and sports events, Pope Francis has a busy day scheduled. Future generations should be taught that “to live as nobly and as justly as possible”, they should “not to turn their back on our neighbors”, he said. We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation.

Mostly, though, the crowd listened quietly to a speech that was not always easily understood, given the pope’s accent and the acoustics of the Capitol lawn.

The rally was intended to “call on America to honor its moral duty to urgently address the climate crisis”, organizers said in a statement. Members of Congress didn’t even let him get out the rule itself before giving him a standing ovation. Yet I can not hide my concern for the family, which is threatened, perhaps as never before, from within and without.

“God bless America!” he concluded, as he had in the House chamber.

“I know that, as a presbyterate in the midst of God’s people, you suffered greatly in the not distant past by having to bear the shame of some of your brothers who harmed and scandalized the Church in the most vulnerable of her members”, he said addressing clergy and religious gathered for Evening Prayer at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City September 24.

Pelosi was visibly upset on the House floor with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March during his speech to Congress, in which he railed against the nuclear deal with Iran forged by the Obama administration and five world powers. Pope arrives in New YorkHe was generous with his time, greeting those who had waited patiently for them, then was whisked away in a helicopter to Wall Street. VIDEO: Pope rides through Manhattan in popemobileWhen the pope arrived at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to lead evening prayers, a small cheer erupted as he approached the doors.

He also addressed the immigration crisis – calling on the United States to remember its own history. “I’m not worrying about shaking his hand or anything like that”.

If a different pope was coming, Carbone would not be as excited as she is about Francis, she said. We, the people of this continent, are not fearful of foreigners, because most of us were once foreigners. We expect he will again address the environment, which is one of his issues he’s very passionate about.

Francis also will meet migrants and refugees from Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Honduras, India, Pakistan and Africa.

“Francis is the man”, said Matt Ruiz, an 18-year-old who came to Washington from Dallas with his Catholic youth group.

On another contentious subject, he advocated abolition of the death penalty in the US, something that enjoys support from a number of lawmakers of both parties at the federal level. “Business is a noble vocation, directed to producing wealth and improving the world”.

What will Francis say to the United Nations? The Catholic Church opposes gay marriage, recently legalized by the Supreme Court.

Francis also criticized the arms trade, which he said was fueled by the pursuit of “money that is drenched in blood”.