(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis quoted Martin Luther King on Wednesday during his speech at the Welcome Ceremony at The White House in Washington at the start of his six-day apostolic visit to the United States.
Noting that as the son of an immigrant family the Pope said he is happy to be a guest in a country built largely by immigrants, and that he looks forward to listening to and sharing the hopes and dreams of the American people.
Describing American Catholics and all other Americans of goodwill as people who are committed to building a society which is truly tolerant and inclusive, Pope Francis remarked on their concern that a “just and wisely ordered society respect” their right to religious liberty.
“Freedom – he said – remains one of America’s most precious possessions” and he called on all citizens to “preserve and defend that freedom from everything that would threaten or compromise it”.
Pope Francis also had warm words of appreciation for how President Obama is pushing to reduce air pollution.
“When it comes to the care of our “common home”, we are living at a critical moment of history” he said.
Pointing to the fact that environmental issues pertaining to “our common home” have globally been overlooked and that today they must be urgently tackled, he quoted Reverend Martin Luther King’s words: “we can say that we have defaulted on a promissory note and now is the time to honor”.
And reminding believers that “the Creator does not abandon us” Pope Francis said humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home.
The Pope concluded his address calling on all American men and women of good will to “support the efforts of the international community to protect the vulnerable in our world and to stimulate integral and inclusive models of development, so that our brothers and sisters everywhere may know the blessings of peace and prosperity which God wills for all his children”.
Please find below the full text of Pope Francis’ speech:
Welcome Ceremony
The White House, Washington
Wednesday, 23 September 2015
Mr President,
I am deeply grateful for your welcome in the name of all Americans. As the son of an immigrant family, I am happy to be a guest in this country, which was largely built by such families. I look forward to these days of encounter and dialogue, in which I hope to listen to, and share, many of the hopes and dreams of the American people.
During my visit I will have the honor of addressing Congress, where I hope, as a brother of this country, to offer words of encouragement to those called to guide the nation’s political future in fidelity to its founding principles. I will also travel to Philadelphia for the Eighth World Meeting of Families, to celebrate and support the institutions of marriage and the family at this, a critical moment in the history of our civilization.
Mr. President, together with their fellow citizens, American Catholics are committed to building a society which is truly tolerant and inclusive, to safeguarding the rights of individuals and communities, and to rejecting every form of unjust discrimination. With countless other people of good will, they are likewise concerned that efforts to build a just and wisely ordered society respect their deepest concerns and their right to religious liberty. That freedom remains one of America’s most precious possessions. And, as my brothers, the United States Bishops, have reminded us, all are called to be vigilant, precisely as good citizens, to preserve and defend that freedom from everything that would threaten or compromise it.
Mr. President, I find it encouraging that you are proposing an initiative for reducing air pollution. Accepting the urgency, it seems clear to me also that climate change is a problem which can no longer be left to a future generation. 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” (Laudato Si’, 13). Such change demands on our part a serious and responsible recognition not only of the kind of world we may be leaving to our children, but also to the millions of people living under a system which has overlooked them. Our common home has been part of this group of the excluded which cries out to heaven and which today powerfully strikes our homes, our cities and our societies. To use a telling phrase of the Reverend Martin Luther King, we can say that we have defaulted on a promissory note and now is the time to honor it.
We know by faith that “the Creator does not abandon us; he never forsakes his loving plan or repents of having created us. Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home” (Laudato Si’, 13). As Christians inspired by this certainty, we wish to commit ourselves to the conscious and responsible care of our common home.
The efforts which were recently made to mend broken relationships and to open new doors to cooperation within our human family represent positive steps along the path of reconciliation, justice and freedom. I would like all men and women of good will in this great nation to support the efforts of the international community to protect the vulnerable in our world and to stimulate integral and inclusive models of development, so that our brothers and sisters everywhere may know the blessings of peace and prosperity which God wills for all his children.
Mr President, once again I thank you for your welcome, and I look forward to these days in your country. God bless America!
(from Vatican Radio)…
Vatican City, 23 September 2015 (VIS) – During the flight from Cuba to the United States, Pope Francis spoke with journalists and answered their questions on a number of issues including the trade embargo against Cuba, his critique of liberal capitalism and the future role of the Church on the island.
The first question related to the Pope’s opinion on the trade embargo against Cuba, and whether he intends to refer to this theme in his address to the United States Congress.
“The question of the trade embargo is part of the negotiations”, replied Francis. “This is public: both presidents have referred to it. So, it is a public matter, that leads in the direction of the good relations that are being constructed. My hope is that an agreement satisfying both parties may be reached. … With regard to the position of the Holy See on the embargoes, previous Popes have spoken not only about this case, but also on other cases of embargoes. On this matter I refer to the social doctrine of the Church, which is precise and just. With regard to the United States Congress … I am thinking about what I would like to say in this respect; but not specifically on this theme, but rather in general on the issue of bilateral and multilateral agreements, as a sign of progress in co-existence. But this theme in a concrete sense is not mentioned, I am almost sure of this”.
“We have heard that more than fifty dissidents were arrested outside the nunciature because they were trying to obtain a meeting with you. Would you like to meet the dissidents? And if such a meeting took place, what would you say to them?”
“Firstly, I am not aware that this happened. … Directly, I do not know. Your two questions concern the future. I would like this to happen. I like meeting all people. First of all because I believe that all people are sons and daughters of God, and secondly, an encounter with any person is enriching. Yes, I would like to meet them. If you would like me to continue to speak about the dissidents, I have something very concrete to say. First of all, it was very clear that I would not have given any audience, as I was asked for an audience not only with the dissidents, but also with people from other sectors, including various heads of State. … Audiences were planned neither with dissidents, nor with others. Secondly, from the nunciature there were telephone calls with various people who form part of this group of dissidents. The task of the nuncio was to communicate to them that with pleasure, upon my arrival at the cathedral for the meeting with consecrated persons, I would have greeted those who were there. A greeting, this is true. But given that nobody presented themselves for the greeting, I do not know if they were there or not. I greeted all those who were there. Above all I greeted the sick, those who were in wheelchairs. But nobody presented him- or herself as a dissident. From the nunciature calls were made to invite them for a passing greeting”.
The third question was on the suffering of the Cuban Catholic Church under Fidel Castro, and whether during his meeting with the Commander, the Pope thought he had repented to any degree.
“Repentance is something very intimate, it is a matter of conscience”, said the Holy Father. “In the encounter with Fidel I spoke with him about the Jesuits he knew, as one of the gifts I took was a book by Fr. Llorente, a close friend of his and a Jesuit, and another by Fr. Pronzato which he will certainly appreciate. We spoke about these things. We spoke at length about ‘Laudato si”, as he is very interested in environmental issues. It was an informal and spontaneous meeting. We spoke about the encyclical as he is very concerned about this matter, but we did not talk about the past”.
“Given that the Pope has denounced the current economic system, some sectors of American society have asked whether the Pope is communist and others, indeed, whether he is Catholic. What does Francis think about this?”
“I am sure that I have not said anything that is not present in the social Doctrine of the Church”, responded the Holy Father. “On another flight a journalist asked me if, when I went to speak to the Popular Movements, if the Church was following me, and I answered that I follow the Church, as in this way I don’t think I can make a mistake. I don’t believe I have said anything that is not in the social Doctrine of the Church. These things can be explained. Perhaps an explanation gave the impression that I tended a little to the left, but it would be an error of explanation. No. My doctrine, on all of this, on ‘Laudato si”, on economic imperialism and all of this, it is that of the social doctrine of the Church. And if it is necessary for me to recite the Creed, I am willing to do so!”
Another journalist recalled that during his last apostolic trip to Latin America the Pope harshly criticised the liberal capitalist system while in Cuba his criticism of the Communist system was less severe. “What is the reason for this difference?”
“In the addresses I gave in Cuba, I always mentioned the social Doctrine of the Church”, explained Francis. “The things that need to be corrected I have mentioned clearly. … I have not said anything more than what I have written in the encyclical and in ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ on unfettered or liberal capitalism. … But here in Cuba … it has been a very pastoral trip, with the Catholic community, with Christians, and also with those people of good will and so my discourses have been homilies. … Even with the young – whether or not they were young believers and, among the believers, of different religions – it was a discourse of hope to encourage dialogue between them, to seek the things they have in common and not those that divide them, to build bridges. … It was a more pastoral language. Instead, in the encyclical it was necessary to tackle more technical issues”.
The penultimate question was whether or not the Catholic Church will assume any role in encouraging openness to political freedom in Cuba, considering the role the Holy See has already played in re-establishing relations between Cuba and the United States.
“The Church in Cuba has drawn up a list of prisoners to be pardoned”, revealed the Pope. “Amnesty has been granted to 3,500 of them, according to the president of the Episcopal Conference. And there are still cases under consideration. And the Church here in Cuba is working for further amnesty. For example, some people tell me it would be good to do away with life imprisonment. Speaking plainly, life imprisonment is almost a form of hidden death sentence. I have said this publicly in an address to European jurists. You stay there, dying every day without hope of freedom. It is a hypothesis. Another hypothesis is that there be general amnesties every year or two. But the Church is working, has worked on this. I am not saying that these three thousand were freed because of the Church lists, no. The Church has made a list, has officially requested amnesty, and will continue to do so”.
Finally, a reporter asked if the fact that three Popes have visited Cuba in twenty years may be interpreted as indicating that the island is in some way afflicted, inasmuch as a doctor visits a sick patient rather than a person in good health.
“No, no”, he replied. “The first was John Paul II, the first historic visit”, he affirmed. “But it was normal – he visited many countries, including those that were hostile towards the Church. The second was Pope Benedict XVI. … Initially my idea was to enter the United States via Mexico, but to visit Mexico without visiting Our Lady of Guadalupe would not have been good. Then, with the announcement of 17 December last year, when the talks that had been taking place for almost a year were made public, I said that I would like to visit the United States via Cuba. And I chose to do so for this reason. But Cuba does not have any particular affliction that other countries do not have”….
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has arrived. His flight landed at Joint Base Andrews (formerly known as Andrews Air Force Base), shortly after 3:30 PM local time in the US state of Maryland.
Listen to Chris Altieri’s report:
The welcome ceremony – otherwise little more than a simple observance of only the most absolutely necessary protocol – was punctuated by two particularly poignant elements: the first was the presence of the President of the United States, Barack Obama – and his family – to greet his nation’s guest; the second was the Spanish language alongside English, in which the gathered crowd – some hundreds of young people from Washington, DC area schools among them – cheered their welcome.
President Obama’s presence was remarkable precisely inasmuch as it seemed – it looked and it felt – like a matter of course – and it did. Nevertheless, it is not Standard Operating Procedure for the President to greet a visiting head of state at the airport.
Spanish is Pope Francis’ native tongue, and it is also the language of an already large and still increasing number of immigrants to the United States, whose presence and participation in US society constitutes an accomplished fact: taken together, the election of the first Pope from Latin America and the plain social reality of a significant and growing number of people in the United States who are of Latin American origin, constitute at once proof of the ascendancy of the global south, and incontrovertible evidence of the enduring importance of US leadership on the global stage.
This, at any rate, is one of the interpretative lenses through which the significance of the historic canonization of Bl. Junipero Serra on Wednesday afternoon at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, following Pope Francis’ official White House welcome and his visit with the Catholic bishops of the United States in St. Matthew’s Cathedral, begins for this reporter to come into focus.
Pope Francis’ focus in all this, has always been, and we may fairly expect shall continue to be, primarily pastoral: he is the universal Pastor of the Universal Church; he is here to “strengthen the brethren” and “feed the sheep” and also – no, primarily – to speak to all people of good will about the man in whose stead the Pope stands on earth: Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
These are neither platitudes, nor by-words, but the elements that explain the theme and motto of this Papal visit to the United States – or rather for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, which is the original reason for and culmination of this Papal visit: “Love is our mission” – our mission. No one is to be excluded, and no one is to be excused from doing his or her part. Pope Francis is here to challenge people, to move people, to get people of every age and state and walk of life out of their comfort zones.
If you look around, and listen, you will find he is already doing it.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) In an exclusive interview with Vatican Radio on the occasion of Pope Francis’ visit to the United States, Secretary of State John Kerry touched on relations with Cuba, the migration crisis, poverty, and the environment.
“I am deeply pleased by the overlap of U.S. foreign policy priorities on many issues and the good work of the Holy See,” Kerry said.
Listen to Christopher Wells’ report:
During the interview, which was exchanged via email with Vatican Radio’s Paolo Mastrolilli, the Secretary of State lauded the Pope’s role in renewing ties between the US and Cuba.
Kerry also addressed the crises in the Middle East which have led to the flooding of refugees into Europe. He noted the “ongoing cooperation and dialogue” with the Holy See and other nations in helping those affected, and in bringing an end to the conflict Syria which has contributed to the migrant crisis.
Also discussed was the collaboration between the Holy See and the US in responding to the Pope’s appeal to “put the economy at the service of peoples.”
Finally, with the Holy Father having recently published his encyclical on the environment, Laudato Sì, the Secretary of State spoke on the importance of global participation in the upcoming UN climate summit to be held in Paris.
Pope Francis arrived Tuesday afternoon in Washington, DC, beginning his first visit to the US as Pope. Over the course of his 22-28 Sept to the country, he is scheduled to visit the White House, the US Congress, and the United Nations in New York City and lead the culminating celebrations of the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.
Please see below for the full transcript of Vatican Radio’s interview with US Secretary of State, John Kerry:
Q: The United States and the Holy See have been working together with success on several issues of common interest, from Cuba to the Middle East. Why is the visit by Pope Francis important, do you see now the possibility to lift the embargo against Cuba, and what are the next peace initiatives the United States and the Holy See could work on together in the future?
Kerry: I am deeply pleased by the overlap of U.S. foreign policy priorities on many issues and the good work of the Holy See.
I am grateful for His Holiness’ role in our renewed ties with Cuba. He was instrumental in encouraging talks that led to the U.S.-Cuba rapprochement, and we will continue to seek his support as we proceed with our bilateral relationship.
We will continue to cooperate with the Holy See to address this and future refugee crises, the instability prompted by climate change, and areas such as interreligious dialogue, spurring development, promoting human rights, and preventing trafficking in persons.
Q: In the Mediterranean Sea there is a migration crisis going on, you just spoke about it in Congress. Do you think Europe and the United States should do more to accept refugees?
We greatly regret the tragic loss of life in the Mediterranean. The practice by smugglers and traffickers of packing vulnerable people onto dangerous boats is deplorable.
This is an area of ongoing cooperation and dialogue between the United States, the Holy See, and others in the region. Migration and immigration lie at the heart of our shared priorities of human rights and collective well-being of the world’s most vulnerable and marginalized populations.
The migration crisis in Europe is going to require cooperation with all the countries of European along with the rest of the international community in order to ensure that people are safe; that they are treated with shared humanity; and that we ultimately have to deal with the source of the problem, which is the ongoing crisis in Syria.
We understand the huge challenges that European states are facing and welcome continuing efforts to seek a comprehensive, coordinated response. Any approach to the crisis should focus on saving and protecting lives, ensuring the human rights of all migrants and refugees are respected, and promoting orderly and humane migration policies.
The United States has provided over $4.1 billion in humanitarian assistance since the start of the Syrian crisis – more than any other single donor – to help address dire humanitarian conditions faced by 7.6 million displaced people inside Syria and over 4 million Syrian refugees in the region, particularly in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt.
We have also set up a working group to coordinate the State Department’s responses to the European migration and refugee crisis, and to make sure we are prepared for any future similar crises in other parts of the world.
By increasing support to humanitarian assistance and protection efforts in Syria and neighboring countries, fewer refugees will decide to move on and they will be able to return home more easily when the conflict ends.
The United States has decided to increase significantly the number of Syrian refugees the United States will accept next year. We expect to admit at least 10,000 Syrian refugees next year.
Admitting more Syrian refugees to the United States is only part of the solution, but I believe this policy decision is consistent with our moral responsibility to do more.
Q: Many refugees are coming from Syria. Can the current strategy of air strikes and training the opposition achieve the goals of defeating ISIS, and giving Syria a better government, without risking a military confrontation with Russia that is sending military help to Asad?
The war in Syria is a security and humanitarian crisis.
We work closely with Coalition of over 60 partners to achieve our common objectives of degrading and ultimately defeating ISIL and ending the underlying conflict through a political transition in Syria away from President Assad.
The brutality of the Assad regime – which Russia supports – has fed the growth of extremism. This is contrary to Russia’s own stated goal for more international action against ISIL.
I expressed to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov U.S. concerns about Russian military support for the Assad regime. These actions could further escalate the conflict, lead to greater loss of innocent life, increase refugee flows, and risk confrontation with the counter-ISIL Coalition operating in Syria.
But it is also important that we talk to the Russians to try to avoid misunderstandings and deconflict the actions of our forces.
Q: Poverty and economic inequality are an increasing problem worldwide. How can the United States and the Holy See work together to “put the economy at the service of peoples,” as Pope Francis said recently?
Many around the world are inspired by His Holiness’ focus on helping the marginalized and disadvantaged. The United States and the Holy See share the conviction that all people have equal dignity and worth, and that we must strive to help each person reach his or her full potential in life.
As a part of President Obama’s Policy Directive on Global Development, we are developing new and strengthening existing diverse partnerships – including among religiously-affiliated organizations and institutions — and thinking innovatively about how to address common interest in achieving inclusive economic growth and address common challenges such as threats to global security, prosperity, and environmental sustainability.
We are encouraged by the successes seen under the Millennium Development Goals, including a dramatic drop in the share of the world’s people living in extreme poverty.
We are equally encouraged by the successful conclusion of negotiations on an ambitious, inclusive Post-2015 Development Agenda, which marks a pivotal moment of international consensus on a common vision of a better world that provides opportunities for the most vulnerable and puts our planet on a sustainable path.
In the coming week, we look forward to participating in the United Nations Summit for the adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda and setting the course for sustained development progress for people around the globe for decades to come.
Q: The Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ of the Holy Father addresses the care of our common home. The United Nations Climate Change Conference will be held in Paris at the end of the year, however French President Hollandewarned that the talks could fail, especially if the issue of financing for emerging nations is not resolved. What is still missing in order to achieve a global agreement on climate change in Paris?
Reaching an ambitious, durable agreement at the UN climate conference in Paris would be a historic step forward in the fight against climate change. A fair agreement – one that that applies to all countries, focuses both on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience, includes strong accountability measures, and ensures ongoing financial and technical assistance to those in need – is within our reach. And concluding such an agreement would send a clear and necessary signal to markets and civil society that the nations of the world are tackling climate change and that there is no going back.
The global community needs to seize this opportunity. We have the chance to truly embark on a path toward a low-carbon, sustainable, global economy – and if we miss that chance, the consequences will extend to every nation on Earth.
The good news is we know what a final agreement will need to look like. To start, it will need to reduce emissions as effectively as possible. The first step is for countries to come forward with strong, timely national targets. And the agreement will also need to include solid accountability measures so everyone can see how countries are doing in implementing their targets.
Additionally, we need to elevate the importance of adaptation. Countries need to do sound adaptation planning and to implement those plans in order to build resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Moreover, the agreement needs to be fair to all and relevant to a dynamic and evolving world.
Lastly, the outcome needs to ensure strong, ongoing financial assistance, especially aimed at supporting the adaptation efforts of the most vulnerable, like small islands and African states, building on the robust measures taken in recent years.
Obviously, no one thinks achieving an agreement in Paris will be easy, but if we are smart – and if each of our nations is committed to not just repeating our respective positions, but to actually finding common ground and to respecting the concerns and imperatives of others – I have no doubt that we can get there.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis spoke with reporters during the flight that took him from Cuba to the United States on Tuesday afternoon.
In response to the journalists’ questions, the Holy Father touched on a number of topics ranging from the US trade embargo on Cuba to his eagerly awaited speech to Congress on Thursday.
Expressing his hope that the US will lift its long trade embargo on Cuba as a result of negotiations, the Pope said he does not plan to raise the issue in his address to Congress this week.
“It is a public thing that is moving along the path of the good relations they are looking for (…). My desire is that they end up with a good result, that they reach an accord that satisfies both sides, an accord, certainly” he said.
And pressed about his speech to Congress, the Pope said he will address “bi-lateral relations and multi-national relations as a sign of progress and coexistence.”
Questioned about how some of his writings may have given the impression that he’s “a little bit more left-leaning” Pope Francis said he is only repeating the social doctrine of the Catholic Church.
Asked to comment on questions by U.S. conservative commentators about whether he’s a communist or even Catholic, the Holy Father said “I am certain that I have never said anything beyond what is in the social doctrine of the church.”
And joking about whether he was truly Catholic, he added: “If I have to recite the Creed, I’m ready.”
(from Vatican Radio)…