Welcome, Pope Francis!
Immigrants expect the Pope to defend their cause during his U.S. visit
Crédito: EFE
Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. comes at a significant moment for immigrants. It is expected that the pontiff will bring a message of generosity towards those who left their homes behind to find better living conditions. The message will contradict the tendency to demonize immigrants which so strongly resonates with Congress and the Republican primary presidential candidates.
The Pope has caused a stir among the Catholic Church’s most conservative sectors with some of his comments on gays, divorce, and his inclination to seek compassion over punishment. Still, these divisions are non-existent when it comes to immigrants and the undocumented. In the U.S., the Church has stayed loyal to its principle of helping travelers and sheltering the needy. In this regard, the Pope will find solid support.
We expect the pontiff to take a stand in defense of immigrants during his speech at Congress. There will surely be requests for an exorcism on the House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
It will suffice that Pope Francis reminds Congress members – who are keen on taking away funding allocated to the President’s actions on immigration – that their intentions harm whole families, and that their justification for legally challenging presidential power carries devastating effects for millions of honest workers.
It is unfortunate that a sector within Washington mistakes the Pope’s emphasis on the Church’s social doctrine for a socialist message. Likewise, conservatives who always invoke Christian values in their politics are now the first to complain that the Pope will tackle issues such as the environment.
However, the most important event will not be the pontiff’s speech in Congress or the canonization of Junípero Serra. The spiritual union between the People and a Pope who has won over the hearts of the most humble ‒ and of those who aren’t so humble ‒ is the staple of this type of visit.
Pope Francis comes with a renewed and very important message of tolerance and compassion at a crucial moment in this country. Welcome to the United States!
