JUST when many think America was fast becoming secularized, growing more detached from religion and/or its spirituality amid so many challenges that beset the nation, Pope Francis’s visit to the United States has revealed that the people of this country thirst for spiritual guidance and a reason to believe again.
Thousands and thousands of people from different walks of life — young and old, men, and women, rich and poor, powerful and helpless — went out of their way to see Pope Francis in person by going to Washington DC, New York City and Philadelphia this week.
For Catholics, this was like being on a pilgrimage, especially for those who do not have the means to attend the Papal Audience of the Pontiff in Rome. For most Catholics who cannot go to any of these locations that the Pope was visiting, following the news coverages on the Pope’s visit was the closest they could get to being blessed by the Pope’s presence.
Kababayans say the Pope awakens within them the true meaning of their faith — love, mercy and compassion — that the Pope embodies in his own life. This is the same message that has drawn in even people of different faith, and even those who are agnostics or atheists. Pope Francis’ nonjudgmental approach to his ministry has the power to awaken the faith of every person in the goodness of man — of himself and other people, no matter how different they may be from each other.
We have also seen the convergence of politics and religion when Pope Francis addressed the American people through men and women of US Congress. He also spoke to world leaders and their representatives in the United Nations.
Boldly, yet with respect and compassion, the Leader of the Catholic Church urged Congress to work together for the common good. As CNN reported, Pope Francis challenged America to embrace millions of undocumented immigrants and join a global campaign against climate change and poverty. He also called for a fairer world economy, the abolition of the death penalty, the protection of ethnic and religious minorities, the outlawing of the global “blood” trade in arms and the protection of the family.
Speaking in the United Nations, the pope lamented over the destruction of the environment through a “selfish and boundless thirst for power and material prosperity.” He also called on rich nations to help the underdeveloped countries, advocating ton their behalf access to adequate food, water and housing, saying they have the right to lodging, labor and land.
Many political leaders were teary eyed as the Pope spoke, making many Americans, including Fil-Ams to wonder if this could mean a better working relationship between the factions in Congress. After all, House Speaker John Boehner himself announced his resignation from Congress beginning in October, as a result of his discernment and enlightenment with the help of Pope Francis.
The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast Balitang America asked its viewers in an online poll the question: “DO YOU THINK POPE FRANCIS CAN INFLUENCE US LAWMAKERS ON CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES LIKE IMMIGRATION?”
Half of those who voted were positive in their responses, while the other half contend that Pope Francis may be popular, but he should not meddle into the political affairs of the country and should just stick to religion and faith.
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.
