Pope Francis to US: 'Protect the Family, Show Compassion'
Speaking before a joint meeting of Congress, Pope Francis encouraged lawmakers to protect the family and to show compassion toward the poor and illegal immigrants, and to fight climate change.
In a speech that did not include a single reference to Jesus Christ, the Pope did honor Dorothy Day, a socialist who founded the Catholic Worker.
He also highlighted the work of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thomas Merton, a Cistercian monk.
Francis called Dorothy Day "a servant of God," saying, "Her social activism, her passion for justice and for the cause of the oppressed, were inspired by the Gospel, her faith, and the example of the saints."
Pope Francis has long used his papal pulpit to speak out for the environment and his speech today was no different. Katherine Hayhoe, an associate professor at Texas Tech University, has worked for years calling on the evangelical church to take climate change seriously. CBN's Charlene Aaron spoke with her by Skype about the pope's speech.
Addressing the illegal alien crisis on America's southern border, Francis admonished opponents of illegal immigration to "remember the Golden Rule."
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you ( )," he said. "Let us seek for others the same possibilities which we seek for ourselves. Let us help others to grow, as we would like to be helped ourselves."
Francis encouraged the United States to abolish the death penalty.
"I am convinced that this way is the best, since every life is sacred, every human person is endowed with an inalienable dignity, and society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes," he said.
On his belief that climate change is a serious problem, the Pope said, "In Laudato Si', I call for a courageous and responsible effort to "redirect our steps" and to avert the most serious effects of the environmental deterioration caused by human activity."
"I am convinced that we can make a difference and I have no doubt that the United States - and this Congress - have an important role to play," he said.
Pope Francis also offered a somewhat veiled message about gay marriage, which he opposes.
"I cannot hide my concern for the family, which is threatened, perhaps as never before, from within and without," Francis said. "Fundamental relationships are being called into question, as is the very basis of marriage and the family. I can only reiterate the importance and, above all, the richness and the beauty of family life."
He did not directly mention abortion, a prominent issue in America now because of the Planned Parenthood baby parts scandal.
After much anticipation that the Pope would use the speech as a chance to lecture Congress about inequality in America, he appeared to adopt a more conciliatory tone toward America's lawmakers, while still encouraging them to do more to promote social justice.
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