Beginning six important days for American Catholics, Pope Francis touched down in the U.S. on September 22. During this first papal visit to the U.S., the Holy Father visited Washington, D.C., New York, and Philadelphia, touching the lives of many along the way.  

While in Washington, D.C., Pope Francis made a historic speech to the U.S. Congress. Many believed that his main points would be about hot-button issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, but instead he focused on immigration, the death penalty, racial injustice, weapons trade, and poverty. He called on Americans to embrace immigrants across the globe, and he also called for global abolition of the death penalty.  On the subject of immigrants, Pope Francis said, “We must resolve now to live as nobly and as justly as possible, as we educate new generations not to turn their back on our ‘neighbors’ and everything around us.” With this speech, Pope Francis became the first pope to address a joint meeting of Congress. As one can imagine, this put Pope Francis in a very difficult position, as a number of his views, especially those pertaining to American politics, caused controversy. Because of this divide, it would have been easy for him to avoid broaching tough topics in his speech. Instead, Pope Francis repeated his firm message of love for all life, impacting many legislators in the process. Religion teacher Mr. Michael Bremner shared his thoughts on this matter, saying, “I am proud of the leader of the Catholic Church for heading into this challenging situation confidently and with great love.” Mr. Michael Kazlauskas, head of religion department, was also very content with the dignity and class that Pope Francis showed. Closing out his time in Washington, D.C., the pope performed a Canonization Mass for St. Junipero Serra – the first to take place on American soil – and spoke to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In New York, Pope Francis made a stop at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Here, he led an interfaith religious service. “The Ground Zero prayers were very powerful,” says Mr. Kazlauskas, identifying this service as his favorite part of the pope’s visit.

Pope Francis’ last stop was in Philadelphia, where Benet alumnus Stephen Spittler (‘14) had the chance to see him. Joining about 450 students from the University of Notre Dame, Stephen took part in a bus trip to Philadelphia. Stephen and his classmates arrived in Philadelphia Sunday morning. Before the mass took place, Pope Francis drove around in his popemobile waving to the crowds and blessing people as he went. “The security guards would bring random babies and toddlers from the crowd to the car of the Pope to bless and then bring them back to their parents,” Spittler said. These interactions held with the high impressions of Pope Francis’ character. As described by Mrs. Jackie Bedore, Campus Minister, “He constantly stops and talks to those who everyone else avoids or looks past – the children, the disabled, the prisoner, the homeless.” Mr. Kazlauskas said his good friends had brought their special-needs son to see the Holy Father, an understandably significant experience.

Though 10,000 tickets to the Pope’s field mass were distributed, Stephen and his friends were not able to secure any. Instead, they settled down along the road in front of a giant screen that was showing the mass. Hundreds of priests lined the streets, allowing each attendee to receive communion even though they weren’t inside the mass. “To say that I got to go to a mass celebrated by the pope is something I will hold on to forever,” Spittler said. He continued, “It was definitely a highlight in my life, and I’m so thankful I did it.”

Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. is a big deal, and is something to be historically memorable. Francis serves as a wonderful role model, continually developing a beautiful legacy for both himself and the Catholic Church under his papacy. Mr. Bremner said, “The humility, simplicity, and love that he has shown as pope are clear examples of how all Catholics should be.”

“In a word, if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities,” Pope Francis said.