10 Takeaways from the Pope’s Visit to DC
This afternoon’s address concluded Pope Francis’ historic and highly publicized visit to the nation’s capital on the first leg of his United States tour. The pope’s visit was indeed a spiritual experience for many Americans, as hundreds of thousands flocked to Washington to be among the first to feel his presence in the United States.
The pontiff did not disappoint. His trip exuded a tone of hope and inspiration, layered with both subtle and explicit messages and calls to action. Fortunately, GPPR was able to participate in many of the week’s events, including the Canonization Mass and his live address to Congress.
Below I provide my thoughts and key takeaways from Francis’ week in the capital city:
1. A call to live a life of purpose
Francis’ grounding in Jesuit education and practice was plainly evident throughout the week as, regardless of venue or audience, he spread one of the foundational values of Jesuit theology: to live a life in service of others. Throughout his trip he urged the call for personal and social responsibility to care for others.
2. The United States is pivotal to social and economic progress on a global scale
It may seem self-evident, but the Pope’s reliance on the historical narrative of the United States in his speech and his illustration of the important contributions of American principles of liberty, freedom, and democracy demonstrated a consistent view that the United States’ success is essential to the world’s success. The beginning of his speech, proclaiming that he considered himself, “a son of this great continent, from which we have all received so much and toward which we share a common responsibility,” elicited cheers heard throughout the city.
It seems as the though the olive branch has been extended for an intimate and enduring relationship. It will be interesting to see how the pope’s call to action will influence the United States government, if at all.
3. Fraternity and solidarity for the common good
Perhaps one of the most powerful lines in his speech is in reference to the social contract that underlies our belief that politics should be and can be, “an expression of our compelling need to live as one, in order to build as one the greatest common good: that of a community which sacrifices particular interests in order to share, in justice and peace, its goods, its interests, its social life.”
4. We must value life at all stages of development
Particularly poignant, was his relentless focus on the dignity and value of human life. He insisted that if we ourselves want opportunities, it is our responsibility to provide them for others.
His evocation of the “Golden Rule” and his declaration that, “The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us,” aroused cheers of consensus throughout the crowd on the West lawn. He also used this opportunity to voice his unfettered opinion on a global abolition of the death penalty, stressing that every life is sacred and, in an echo of Thomas Jefferson, “endowed with an inalienable dignity.”
5. Dialogue is important — even just using the word
The pope encouraged another action steeped deep in Jesuit tradition — the need for dialogue. He personally declared his desire to speak to the young, to the elderly, to the disenfranchised, to Congress. But he also pointed out to the broader significance of dialogue in today’s political climate, “When countries which have been at odds resume the path of dialogue — a dialogue which may have been interrupted for the most legitimate of reasons — new opportunities open up for all.”
And, he sent a much needed reminder to Congress that, “A good political leader always opts to initiate processes rather than possessing spaces.” The pope also warned against the peril of ideological extremism and fundamentalism.
6. Business has a social responsibility and Congress needs to be brave
As many commentators expected, there were references to both wealth inequality and global environmental health; but the pope balanced the political fine line by focusing his attention on the good that business does do, and the greater good that business can do.
But he did call out Congress for their hesitation to take on the tough issue of climate change legislation. Climate change is not limited in scope to the United States, but Pope Francis, again, recognizes that we are the key to initiating powerful policy change, “I call for a courageous and responsible effort to ‘redirect our steps,’ and to avert the most serious effects of the environmental deterioration caused by human activity. I am convinced that we can make a difference, and I have no doubt that the United States — and this Congress — have an important role to play.”
7. Role of family unit remains critical
Speaking on the family may be one of the more politically delicate issues the pope chose to address in his speech. But its inclusion, and his emphasis on it, provokes the need for a wider discussion of his points. While we will probably find that most Democrats will disagree with him on this, the pope called for a renewed vigor to reinstitute a central role for family. It is well-established that the last few decades observed a disintegration of the traditional family unit. The U.S. has seen an increase in divorces as well as single family households. But what should be the role of the government in either addressing this phenomenon or substituting services to provide for these gaps in roles where the family is traditionally involved?
8. A call to the young
There were many uplifting moments in the speech, but it was inspiring to hear the pope specifically call out to young people multiple times. Generations of young adults have grown up in a world that is becoming more and more instantaneous. This includes an increasing focus on instant satisfaction and gratification. At the same time, many Americans have grown more frustrated toward religion and agnostic. This pope explicitly offers a message of hope, love, and concern for human dignity that resonates across religions and generations.
9. John Boehner cried (multiple times) and it kinda tugged at our heart strings
The Speaker of the House, along with many of his fellow American Catholics this week, had the experience of a lifetime. For over twenty years, Boehner has invited the leader of the Catholic Church to speak before Congress. I have to admit, it wasn’t bad seeing this side of him. I teared up too, Mr. Speaker.
10. The pope #blessed us with an effective Metrorail, if only for a few days
We could get used to this whole “not waiting for the red line for 20 minutes” thing. Thanks Pope Francis, come back any time!
Erin Mullally (MPP ‘16) is the Editor-in-Chief of the McCourt School’s Georgetown Public Policy Review
