Here's a little history tidbit to start: It was on this day, October 6, 1979, that now-Saint Pope John Paul II became the first Pope to visit the White House.
I take note of this historical event because of the recent Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis to the United States, "Love is our Mission".
Pope Francis has a demeanor that definitely appeals to people--so much, in fact, that I've only heard two people I personally know express criticism of him. His appeal made his visit garner attention and hype as if he were some big-shot celebrity.
For me, the exciting aspect of his visit was to have the leader chosen by God to be shepherd of the Roman Catholic Church, in the succession of the Apostles, come to present to the people of the United States, sharing his insights with all, even to those beyond the Roman Catholic Church.
I had toyed with the idea of traveling to the East Coast for weeks to be present for parts of his visit. While they ultimately didn't materialize, I watched two events live: his speech before Congress, and the concluding Mass of the World Meeting of Families, as I made it my business to arrange my schedule so I could do so. And I followed his visit all six days, taking in the coverage on NBC Nightly News, which afforded me the opportunity to watch live his arrival at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on Thursday, September 24. I also looked over the text of some of the other speeches he gave. Throughout them all, his shepherd's touch was present, as he spoke to us about how to live out the truth of God and the principles of faith.
In his speech before Congress, in addition to having that shepherd's touch, he also spoke to the United States experience. He even acclaimed, at the start of the speech, how privileged he was to speak in "the land of the free and the home of the brave", which floored me. He appealed to our highest values and ideals, as demonstrated in four individuals: Abraham Lincoln; Martin Luther King, Jr.; Dorothy Day, and Thomas Merton, speaking on liberty, justice, the Golden Rule, respect for life, collaborating, and working together in difficult situations. He truly spoke the wisdom of God that adds so much meaning to life.
It was amazing to hear these gracious words come from his mouth, and to think of the historic nature of the occasion. Pius VI was Pope in 1789 when the first session of the US Congress was held, and here now, 16 pontiffs later, was the first Pope to address this body. And how beautiful it was when he stepped out onto the balcony of the US Capitol, and in his remarks, spoke words of blessing upon the children, another touch of God's shepherd. (It was also very notable to watch him pause at the statue of Padre Junipero Serra in the Capitol on his way to the balcony, a man he had canonized a day earlier.)
His shepherd's touch was present as he mourned and honored the victims of 9-11 during an interreligious service at the Ground Zero Memorial, as he also spoke of the resolve that this tragedy can bring us, the living, together to work for and live in hope for peace.
He spoke again to the American experience in his speech at Independence Mall in Philadelphia, especially the American value of religious freedom, that people of different beliefs can come together for the good of society, as each religion has principles that speak to doing good and focusing on the higher purposes in life.
Then there was the concluding Mass for the World Meeting of Families on Sunday the 27th. It was amazing to see the thousands upon thousands gathered for Mass in Philadelphia along Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Pope Francis truly demonstrated his role as Pope by calling for us to lay aside that which divides us and be united as God's people. He furthermore stated how important this is to start in the family, the smallest unit of Church, which nurtures the faith that allows us to shine in the world, even in the small things, like a nice, warm supper, or a loving hug from a loved one, especially after a rough day.
Indeed, the Pope's role is to be a sign of the Church's unity, and that was further symbolized by how people came together upon the occasion of his visit to the United States. This visit was memorable in how the people came and the Pope spoke to his flock, drawing from the principles of faith and the teachings of the Church, even as he embraced the opportunity to visit the people in the US with much gratitude, sentiments he so beautifully stated in remarks shortly before his departure on Sunday the 27th. Now we go forth, like Saint Junipero Serra did, boldly proclaiming the Gospel and testifying to the power of God's reign in our world as we live out the principles of faith in which we have been instructed by God's shepherd on Earth.
Thank you, Holy Father, for coming and encouraging us here in the United States. And as you, as a good and decent shepherd of the Lord, in the succession of St. Peter, humbly asked for our prayers, we shall certainly pray for you as you continue your work, even as you continue to pray for and shepherd us, that we may walk before God, unto Eternal Life.
P.S. To find the text of the speeches and homilies Pope Francis gave, as well as other resources for his visit, please visit this page on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
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