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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPope Francis Will Skip Lawmaker Lunch to Dine With 300 Homeless People in Washington DC
Thursday, during his first official visit to the United States, Pope Francis plans to have lunch with homeless Washington residents instead of lawmakers after he addresses Congress, USA Today reported.
The leader of the 1.2 billion-strong Roman Catholic church plans to dine with around 300 of the capital's less fortunate in a makeshift tent by the city's St. Patrick's Catholic church, the Independent reported. Francis declined the opportunity to lunch with capitol lawmakers during the same time.
The pontiff touched down Tuesday to a raucous welcome at Joint Base Andrews, where he was met by President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and their families.
"We expect [the pope] to be like a maitre d' at a restaurant," Erik Salmi, communications director for the Washington branch of Catholic Charities, told the Washington City Paper. "There's not a lot that's scripted; rather, we want him to have as much time to greet people [and] spend time with them as possible. He's big with people on the margins of society, those that tend to get overlooked."
(snip)
The move is highly symbolic and in keeping with many of Francis' previous actions championing the poor and neglected. For his 78th birthday last year, the pope distributed 400 sleeping bags to the homeless of Rome. He has also sponsored charity auctions for the homeless and built them showers in St. Peter's Square. Unlike his predecessor Benedict XVI, who rarely spoke of the poor and lived in high style at the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, Francis opted for a smaller place outside the complex.
Earlier this year, he washed the feet of 12 prisoners and baby from Rome's main prison.
http://mic.com/articles/125748/pope-francis-will-skip-lawmaker-lunch-to-dine-with-300-homeless-in-washington-dc
Octafish
(55,745 posts)Big wigs aren't any more important than anybody else, and the poor are just as important as anybody.
Uncle Joe
(58,364 posts)Octafish
(55,745 posts)Belief in God as dogma, otherwise both believe all people are created equal.
Uncle Joe
(58,364 posts)At his core I do believe he believes all people are created equal but the ancient Institution his position in it and perhaps his personal belief based on his faith have prohibited him from being more progressive on issues such as LGBT and women's rights, although as I mentioned elsewhere on this thread, his stance is ahead of previous Popes.
On the other hand his message regarding the poor and disenfranchised seem light years ahead of the the Democratic Party.
msongs
(67,407 posts)Uncle Joe
(58,364 posts)I honestly believe that's the case with this Pope.
Live and Learn
(12,769 posts)rbrnmw
(7,160 posts)This Pope isn't being very Popey Climate change now he's feeding the homeless. What a Marxist
Uncle Joe
(58,364 posts)ahead of his predecessors.
I don't believe one could put a political label on him but he seems to be the most progressive Pope that I've ever known.
rbrnmw
(7,160 posts)I love this Pope he is Jesuit, they tend to focus on the least among us.
Uncle Joe
(58,364 posts)that I was just enthralled by the Pope.
rusty quoin
(6,133 posts)Left Coast2020
(2,397 posts)Uncle Joe
(58,364 posts)jtuck004
(15,882 posts)murielm99
(30,741 posts)How perfect.
I may not always agree with his church, but he is living his faith and doing what his faith asks of him.
Thank you, Uncle Joe.
Uncle Joe
(58,364 posts)I'm going to bed, have a good night and thanks to everyone that posted or recced this thread, peace to all of you.
Uncle Joe
(58,364 posts)SidDithers
(44,228 posts)Will he wash any feet?
Will we be seeing a new batch of PR pictures from Pope Photo-Op?
Sid
Uncle Joe
(58,364 posts)of someone as esteemed as yourself, Sid.
As for PR and photo ops what does that mean?
Do public gestures have power?
Words and actions are what matter and in regards to the mass devastation on societies and threats against democracy posed by extreme disparities in wealth and the growing global catastrophe from global warming climate change, Pope Francis is on the correct side of these issues.
His self-humbling actions in washing the feet of prisoners serve to reinforce his message so whether you consider those actions as just PR or sincere efforts in sending a more compassionate message, it does have the power to transform human consciousness and awareness for the better.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)shows it.