Posted on 09/24/2015 9:15:07 AM PDT by markomalley
Pope Francis on Thursday gave an historic address to a joint meeting of Congress that delivered big applause lines for Democrats on issues like the need to end armed conflict, welcoming immigrants, and taking steps to stop climate change.
And while Republicans have spent the week reminding people that the pope agrees with the GOP on issues like family and abortion, the pontiff only gave a few brief nods to those issues, and in far less specific terms.
For example, he stressed that the "Golden Rule" reminds people of their "responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development," a line that drew strong applause. But that line was followed by a call for ending the death penalty, which drew Democratic applause, and he made no explicit mention of abortion.
He addressed family issues at the end of his remarks, but even then, he only mentioned his broad concern for families with words that may have hinted at issues like same-sex marriage, but without any specifics.
"I cannot hide my concern for the family, which is threatened, perhaps as never before, from within and without," he 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."
But for social conservatives looking for sharper messages on abortion or same-sex marriage, that was about it, and Francis largely met the expectation that he would dodge those sensitive issues in his speech.
The rest of speech was much more specific on themes that Democrats have adopted. For example, as America struggles to deal with radical Islamic terrorism, Pope Francis seemed to give a nod to Democrats who have warned against striking out against Muslims, by saying the U.S. must continue to ensure religious freedom.
"A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology or an economic system, while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellectual freedom and individual freedoms," he said. "We know that in the attempt to be freed of the enemy without, we can be tempted to feed the enemy within."
Later in his address, he cited the importance of ending all armed conflict around the world, and reiterated his view that too much money is made by selling weapons around the world. Francis has been critical of capitalism before, and his comments in this area seemed to highlight that theme again.
"Being at the service of dialogue and peace also means being truly determined to minimize and, in the long term, to end the many armed conflicts throughout our world," he said. "Here we have to ask ourselves: Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society?"
"Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood," he added.
The pope clearly sided with Democrats on immigration, and said people should not be "fearful of foreigners," because most everyone was once a foreigner, drawing applause. He said the world is not only facing a refugee crisis in Europe, but an immigration crisis in the Americas, as thousands "travel north" to the U.S. "in search of a better life."
"Is this not what we want for our own children?" he asked. "We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation. To respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal."
Francis reiterated his Wednesday remarks from the White House on climate, an issue on which he is in clear agreement with President Obama and most Democrats. Many Democrats are hoping his words on the environment can be used to put the GOP in a box later this year when the U.S. and other nations try to make progress on a global climate agreement.
"Now is the time for courageous actions and strategies, aimed at implementing a 'culture of care' and 'an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature,'" he said.
The entire framework of Francis' remarks were about how Congress must play an important role in ensuring the welfare of its citizens, a far cry from the repeated Republican calls for a smaller, less wasteful government.
"You are the face of its people, their representatives," he said. "You are called to defend and preserve the dignity of your fellow citizens in the tireless and demanding pursuit of the common good, for this is the chief aim of all politics."
"Legislative activity is always based on care for the people," he said, and added later that America must continue to fight for the poor and the needy.
"They too need to be given hope," he said. "The fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts, especially in its causes."
Here we go now the libs will turn into religious zealots
Until the Donald questioned the Pope on climate change.
If he is not THE Antichrist, Francis is AN antichrist.
Who else would have open fellowship with belial.
I thought he did a really good job at hiding his concern for the family.
If I were Catholic I’d be embarressed by this guy.
Well, we know with whom this Pope has cast his lot.
Immediate need to address climate change?? Seriously? Mr. Pope, who created the earth and everything in it? Who is in control of all things.
Sheesh.
Was Boehner crying AGAIN?
Or just itching his eyes?
What Future Children?
They have been murdered and Sold for Parts at a Mafia Chop Shop!
What about THAT!? Huh?
Why doesn’t Italy take in all those Syrian immigrants? Italy is SO much closer to them than the US... it would be a shorter trip and closer to their ‘homeland’
Italy already has their hands full, because the Pope has encouraged it. They need to all go to the Vatican.
Pope Francis i saolving the problems of the world you say? Hmm where have I heard this before? Ah yesss....
The church used to be the defender if civilization. This Pope is siding with the barbarians.
OK, I don’t believe that it was an insult for Hussein to invite trannies, sodomites, and baby murder supporting nuns to meet this pope. I believe he invited exactly the people this pope would want to meet. We got all offended on his behalf for nothing.
and surely Pope Francis understands that Muslims want to take away Christian's freedom of religion, right?...er right???
Did Papa meet with the Ladies in White while in Cuba?
Screw that dress wearing boy lover.
I think most conservative Catholics are done defending him. They are mostly just silent now. What can they really say? It is obvious Pope Francis is on the far left at this point. No amount of claims that he is being misunderstood, misquoted, or mistranslated work anymore.
There are plenty of luxurious and cushy accommodations in the Vatican they can occupy and ^%$ up ...just like they f^%$ed up their OWN country and EVERY country they will ever end up in!!
Humanity is going BACKWARDS ...Returning to the grinding poverty, disease, overcrowding, violence, brutality, irreligious and disgusting crudeness that typified the dark ages.
Over all these centuries... they couldn't make THEIR OWN homeland safe and productive (for whatever reasons) but they think they will be able to go where there IS safety, abundance and order and KEEP it that way without f^%$ing IT up TOO!!
Really!?? THEY are the problem. It's NOT life ... it's NOT society...It's NOT the 'world'... they are poor, ignorant, diseased, hopeless and lost because of the decades of ghastly choices, repeated mistakes and their OWN abysmal failure at self-governance.
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