Pope calls for humane USA migrant response

WASHINGTON – Pope Francis told Congress on Thursday the USA should reject a “mind-set of hostility” to immigrants, directly addressing a subject that is dividing the country and stirring debate in the 2016 presidential campaign. The pope told the American church leaders that “harsh and divisive language does not befit the tongue of a pastor” and he encouraged them to speak with anyone, no matter their views.

Pope Francis is the first Pontiff ever to address a joint meeting of Congress on immigration, environmental legislation and a blistering condemnation of the arms trade. I’m sure he’s going to look at it as “hey I have a winning game plan, it’s working,”‘ community activist Jim Salinas said.

Throughout the speech Francis referred back to the “fundamental values which will endure forever in the spirit of the American people”. The complex was buzzing with activity well before sunrise as security personnel, staffers, reporters and guests gathered well ahead of the pope’s arrival at 9:15 a.m.

” Buenos dias“, he called out and the crowd roared in response. Excited crowds lined streets near the White House to catch a glimpse of the smiling and waving Francis as he passed by in his open-air “popemobile”. But speaking in Spanish, he added a line to acknowledge that not everyone there was a believer.

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

Francis also spent a few time defending families.

Leaving Congress, the Pope visited with a few of Washington’s hordes of homeless at St. Patrick Parish, roughly equidistant from the White House and the Capitol but a stark contrast to the high-priced eateries serving the capital’s powerful elites. He said there can be no justification for lack of housing. While his rhetoric in Washington was most pleasing to Democrats, he made an unscheduled visit to the Little Sisters of the Poor, who sued the Obama Administration to fight its mandate to give abortion-causing pills to the poor.

Francis has called for a more welcoming attitude toward migrants everywhere and has backed that up with a modest welcome of his own: The Vatican recently took in two refugee families and has committed to care for them while they await their asylum applications.

In the House gallery, Marx sat next to a group of nuns. Outside, tens of thousands watched on giant screens, and many more were watching on TV around the world. “They need to feel the support and encouragement of the Pope, the Holy Father”.

NewsOne Now panelist A. Scott Bolden explained politicians are struggling with Pope Francis’ stance on many issues regardless of party affiliation. “This conviction has led me, from the beginning of my ministry, to advocate at different levels for the global abolition of the death penalty”, he said.

People waved flags and signs, and schoolchildren sang while they waited for the address to begin. While “business is a noble vocation”, he said, it must be “an essential part of its service to the common good”.

But for the majority, lawmakers and citizens alike, felt the speech was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they couldn’t miss.

The Catholic Church strongly opposes abortion.

Jackson Gossett also traveled from the Palmetto State. The pope reminded the U.S. Congress that this nation is comprised of immigrants. The scene on the West Lawn was festive but orderly. Purely religious leaders, such as the Dalai Lama, have also addressed Congress but only in auditoriums, not in either of the legislative chambers.