Pope Francis dove into some of the United States’ thorniest political debates during his historic visit by urging the world’s wealthiest nation to welcome immigrants, to end homelessness and do more to address climate change. Sometimes his political messages were blunt, like when he pleaded before the U.S. Congress for Americans to end “hostility” toward immigrants. Other times, they were more subtle, like the climate-conscious pope’s decision to ride around in a tiny Fiat rather than a gas-guzzling SUV. Shortly before arrival, Francis denied he was a leftist, despite his criticisms of the excesses of capitalism. His speeches gave both Democrats and Republican fodder to support the intense partisan battles that define modern Washington. The 50-minute address held the chamber, which was packed with ambassadors and supreme court justices as well as senators and House representatives, spellbound, a feat seldom seen even during presidents’ State of the Union speeches. There was something for everyone, Democrat and Republican alike. Some Senators and Congressmen were visibly moved when Pope Francis invoked the “Golden Rule” – do unto others as you would have them do unto you – to describe how America should treat immigrants and refugees. It was inspiring to listen from the Pope that “ if we want security, let us give security, if we want life, let us give life and if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities. The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us.” Though the Pope in his wisdom also called on America to put an end to the death penalty, but we would with respect differ with it and point out that terrorists who kill young school going children or carry out bombings, killing hundreds of innocent people deserve no mercy at all. If there is no fear of severe punishment, such people would go on killing and thus deserve no sympathy because they are a curse for humanity. If the world is to be made peaceful, the international community would have to join hands to root out killers of innocent human beings and other criminals. Whether the pope will have any lasting impact on the US political agenda is unclear but his spell lingered after he left Congress, uniting both sides of the aisle in praise for the visitor.
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