Pope Francis Declines U.S. Lawmaker’s Lunch Invitation, Dines With The Homeless Instead


Pope Francis visited St. Patrick’s Church, the oldest parish in the city, Thursday, September 24 to dine with and speak to the homeless people of Washington, D.C.

The pope spoke to the crowd in his native language of Spanish, while someone translated for those listening. He narrated the Biblical story of Mary and Joseph, noting how they were forced to give birth to the baby Jesus without a home.

Pope Francis told the congregation about how Jesus was brought into this world as a homeless person, and how he “knew what it was to start a life without a roof over his head.” He also spoke of how Joseph used his faith to find “light just at the moment when everything seemed dark.” The pope related the Biblical story of Joseph and Mary to the people who were there to listen to him in what seemed to be an effort to give hope to those in need.

The pope also spoke about the lack of housing, and he made his position on the matter very evident to those in attendance.

“I want to be very clear, we can find no social or moral justification, no justification whatsoever, for lack of housing.”

Pope Francis: St. Patrick's
Pope Francis, left, has a selfie taken with Michael Brown as he walks through the crowd during a visit to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/David Goldman, Pool)

When Pope Francis announced that he would be dining with the city’s homeless, rather than the nation’s lawmakers, as reported by the Inquisitr, he moved many, including Monsignor John Enzler, CEO of the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington D.C., who spoke highly of the pope and the things he did for the homeless.

“He is my hero. He lives the Gospel in the way I want to live it myself. He tries to make sure that people all feel they are included.”

After his speech was made to those in attendance at St. Patrick’s, Pope Francis blessed the meal with a prayer for those who would be dining with him at the church.

Pope Francis: Washington D.C.
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Pope Francis, left is greeted by Florencia and Federico Segura, right, as he walks through the crowd during a visit to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington September 24, 2015 in Washington, DC. Pope Francis is in the United States for six days during his first trip as the leader of the Catholic Church. (Photo by David Goldman-Pool/Getty Images)

CBS News reports that Pope Francis had just come from making the first ever address to a joint session of Congress by a pontiff. He addressed poverty and hunger in his speech and the importance of fighting against them. As shown in his visit to the homeless, this is an issue that the pope takes on personally.

“The fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts, especially in its causes. I know that many Americans today, as in the past, are working to deal with this problem. It goes without saying that part of this great effort is the creation and distribution of wealth.”

Pope Francis: Congress
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress while Vice President Joseph Biden (L) and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) (R) listen, at the U.S. Capitol on September 24, 2015 in Washington, DC. Pope Francis is the first pope to address a joint meeting of Congress and will finish his tour of Washington later today before traveling to New York City (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Pope Francis’ visit to St. Patrick’s seemed to be very special to everyone who attended, especially for the people of Catholic Charities, who expressed they were very honored to have the pope with them. Douglas Donatelli, who is the chairman of the Catholic Charities board, conveyed that the visit by Pope Francis acknowledged “the hard work we do here, to take care of the poor and less privileged.”

As reported by the Inquisitr, the actions by the pope are what is being taken into account, not just his speeches. One of the homeless in attendance at the lunch commented on his thoughts of Pope Francis and how he appreciated that the pope was concerned with the people and not physical wealth.

“This pope, he’s not about riches and fame.”

Pope Francis’ next stop will be New York City, where he will lead Mass at Madison Square Garden.

[Photo by Mark Wilson & Pool/Getty Images]

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