POPE FRANCIS VISITS WHITE HOUSE, PRAISES U.S. ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

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By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of the White House

Pope Francis met with President Barack Obama at the White House on Wednesday, then delivered an address on the White House lawn to a crowd of over 11,000 people, CNN reports.

The Pope called on Christians to be responsible stewards of the earth.  "Climate change is a problem which can no longer be left to a future generation," he said. "When it comes to the care of our common home, we are living at a critical moment of history. We still have time to make the changes needed to bring about a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change."

He praised the U.S. actions to reduce air pollution and combat climate change.

He also urged Americans to care for people who are living in poverty including “"the millions of people living under a system which has overlooked them."

His message also emphasized religious freedom that he called “one of America's most precious possessions." The Catholic leader also asked for “support the institutions of marriage and the family at this, a critical moment in the history of our civilization."

The Pope earlier visited Cuba, delivering outdoor masses to thousands and praising those who kept their faith alive under a government that previously discouraged religious faith.  He met with  ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro and also spoke to students in Havana. The visit was particularly significant for Cubans, since Pope Francis played a role in facilitating renewal of diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Cuba.

Pope Francis’ trip to the U.S. also includes an address to the United Nations and a joint address to both houses of Congress, visits with immigrant families, the homeless, prisoners and church leaders. Drawing attention to the U.S. as a nation of immigrants despite turmoil over immigration policies presently, the Argentinian Pope will deliver most of his U.S. speeches in Spanish, his Native language.

He is also expected to canonize Junipero Serra, founder of the California missions, as a saint. That action has drawn protests from Native Americans due to the mission system’s brutalization of Indians, with local tribes holding a candlelight vigil at the San Diego Mission del Alcala’s cemetery Wednesday night to pray for their ancestors and the healing of their people.  

 

 


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