Pope Francis’s first visit to the U.S.is getting plenty of attention around the world, and it’s a hot topic among Catholics in Abilene.
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Deeley of the Diocese of Portland stands with other bishops at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.
“Climate change is a problem that can no longer be left to a future generation”, said the pontiff, who in July released an encyclical, or papal letter, that blamed human activity for much of the earth’s warming.
“We want to receive his blessing and bring him home to our family”, said church member Fe Bosch. “Everybody is interested in Pope Francis, so I thought the President gave a heartfelt speech”.
He also warned the world was facing a “critical moment of history” in the fight against climate change, while lauding President Barack Obama’s efforts to curb air pollution.
“Holy Father, you remind us that we have a sacred obligation to protect our planet, God’s magnificent gift to us”.
“I think a lot of people have gravitated towards Francis because they see in him a real representation of the Christian values they associate with Jesus”, said Hendrickson.
The five-year-old daughter of undocumented immigrants managed to deliver a hand-written message to Pope Francis by pushing past metal barriers and a phalanx of security guards.
To underscore his concern for the plight of migrants, Francis chose to make his first trip after his election in 2013 to the tiny southern Italian island of Lampedusa to pay tribute to the thousands who drowned trying to cross the Mediterranean.
Washington is the first stop on the Argentine Pope’s six-day visit to the United States.
Many U.S. bishops have struggled to come to terms with Francis’ new social justice-minded direction of the church.
White House photographer Pete Souza captured the meeting between Francis and the Obamas’ Portuguese water dogs during his visit in the Oval Office.
Coyne was tapped by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops to handle media communications and answer questions on protocol and liturgy.
The pope praised the USA for how immigrants are treated and for charity work.
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This month, he asked parishes in Europe to house refugee families, many from Syria, as Europe struggles with its migrant crisis.
