As everyone probably knows by now, Pope Francis is in America. This is his first visit to the USA since he became Pontiff. He’s been doing really well, I think. It’s clear that he’s an older gentleman and he needs some time to recover from his schedule, but he did back-to-back events yesterday in Washington, and today he will be addressing a joint session/meeting of Congress. He’s also said that he’s not very comfortable speaking in English, but he’s been making an effort to interact as much as possible in English while in America. His little accent is rather charming and he definitely gets an A+ for effort.
Mostly, I’m just here for the photos. I LOVE the photos of the Pope and the first family. The White House photographer Pete Souza’s Instagram has released some insider photos of the Pope’s trip to the White House yesterday, including Pope Francis getting some time to meet Bo and Sunny Obama, the White House puppies. Francis has previously said some lovely things about animals and the need to look after all of God’s creatures. I feel like he is a dog person. I wonder if there’s a rule about popes and animals though. Like, could a pope have a dog? I think Pope Francis might need a dog.
The White House’s Twitter is full of Pope Francis stuff too – go here to see. I’m including the full WH speeches below. Did you know that the White House was originally going to do a 21-gun salute but canceled it at the last minute, because they didn’t want guns shooting around the Pope?
Photos courtesy of Pete Souza/White House and WENN.
I really don’t want this to get into a religion pro or against debate but I cant help by like Pope Francis.
I mean, I don’t agree with some of his stances (abortion being one) but given he’s the Catholic Pope they’re hardly surprising but I feel he has made small steps away from some of the more hard and completely unreasonable lines and his main message is mercy, love and tolerance even if the church doesn’t agree.
He’s also encouraged inter faith discussions.
He has promise of turning the image of the Vatican (note i didn’t say catholisicm) around – he seems a stronger leader than Pope Benedict who was too old and frail for the job. And this coming from a heathen/athiest.
I suspect Pope Benedict was only put in short term from the start to take the hit of the child abuse backlash, then replaced with a new improved recipe Pope to rebuild the church image again. Pope Francis is getting the full benefit of that new pr person that worked for Fox News, Greg Burke.
Burke is quoted as saying “I’m going to kick the ball to the Pope,” Burke explained at a recent lecture in London. “I mean, the Pope scores goals, you know? The Pope scores goals for us… The people are just eating this stuff up.” (from a Vice article in 2013)
It seems to me to be just a good rebranding exercise. But I wish everyone involved well, if the church does some good and rights a lot of its wrongs.
Yes and no about the abortion thing. Yes, the Catholic church condemns it, yet Pope Francis has ‘authorized’ priests to absolve women who have had it.
So it’s not like it’s no longer seen as a sin, but Pope Francis said it was now an issue of compassion and it should be forgiven.
I know it’s not ideal to still use the word “sin”, but I think it’s a huge step.
As a former ‘escaped’ Catholic, I cannot muster any chill for this guy or the organisation he represents.
Thsi change is for one year only– people overlook that! Then everything goes back to the same policy which is that abortion cannot be absolved. Mow down a first grade classroom with an AK-47? You can confess, be absolved, receive communion, and go to heaven. Get an abortion after being raped? None of the above. Nothing has actually changed.
I don’t want to get into a long argument. There are many, many thing I really like about this pope. I LOVE what he has to say about immigration, climate change, and the economically marginalized, and I hope he influences how people think (which for me is the most important thing). I also think he has played a very important role in getting sanctions against Cuba lifted. Also: he beatified Oscar Romero! I am *very* grateful to him for that!
I like him, but I want to see real change in church policy.
@MissJupitero, in full agreement with you on all points. While my co-worker thinks he’s the worst pope ever. She even thinks the changes he has made for annulment go way too far.
@ Aren
I agree that it is a huge step for the catholic church to absolve abortion. I believe that Pope Francis is really more modern than his actions suggest but you can’t make such a huge battleship like the catholic church do a 180-degree turnaround as if it were a small sailing boat. It will take a longer time for the catholic church to develop a healthy stance on many things modern.
An institution like the catholic church has many little rulers apart from the Pope and he can’t annoy them or else they will block his each and every initiative to annoy him back.
He is a bit like Obama: both would like to be able to achieve more but “huge battleships” like the USA or like the catholic church just can’t do such a quick full turnaround in an instant.
Pope Francis is a blessing for the church as is Obama for the USA.
Actually, abortion can be and is forgiven all the time. The difference is that it used to be that abortions were supposedly forgiven by the bishop, and the priest would have to defer to him. In real life, at least in the US, bishops have already given authority to absolve women of the sin of abortion long ago.
Teachings on abortion, traditional marriage, etc are not going to change. BUT, what I believe Pope Francis is trying to do is to meet people where they are, not to heap scorn on them but rather to love them as other children of God.
I’m not Catholic but I sent my kids to parochial school because I liked the structured classrooms. Anyway, I have no problem with this Pope. He sounds more engaging and open than the previous ones. However I wish he would get rid of Union Buster, DUI moron AB Cordelione in San Francisco. This dummy wanted Catholic school teachers to sign a morality clause saying they agree homosexuality, abortion and a whole lot of stuff is “evil.” That their contract can be terminated if they engaged in any of the sins. Fortunately, there was massive push back but the guy is still in charge of Northern Cal. ;(
Oh that guy is a piece of work — is he the same one that installed sprinklers on the cathedral in SF to keep the homeless from sleeping in the doorways of the church? WWJD, indeed!
My view of him is clouded by my nationality. The way he tried to block Same sex-marriage and adoption in Argentina, as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, is something I’ll never forget. The moment he became Pope he changed his stance on a lot of things. Granted, he has always worked to improve the lives of the poor, and he was always very franciscan in his way of life, but I can’t help but side-eye him.
He’s also meddling in politics in Latin America, when he should stay away. He meets with Fidel Castro but ignores the system’s political prisoners? NO. He stated he would not attempt to influence politics in Argentina yet he still meets our President and ignores leaders of the opposition, at a time when the Kirchner’s political rule will be over and our country will either sink as a consequence of 10 years of corruption and mismanagement, or be able to grow and become stable with the leaders of the opposition.
I understand why most of the world has fallen in love with him, because he seems to talk about changing things, and his image is better than Benedict’s, but it seems a lot of people cannot see through him at times.
As a “recovering Catholic”, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to the flock, but I’ve liked this Pope’s spiritual leadership. Yet it’s disappointing to hear this about him as AB in BA, and so I remain an atheist and a skeptic.
@ Cee
Ever thought that Francis might have done certain things in order to get the career he wanted? Pleas his supporters?
If you hold Francis’ visitis to Cuba against him for Cuba’s ways of dealing with political prisoners then will you hold the Pope’s visit to the USA against him for the USA’s ways of dealing with political prisoners (in Guantanamo)?
Prisoners in Cuba are actually much better off than prisoners in Guantanamo.
As for Argentinia: please don’t forget that the USA started the downturn of things in Argentinia a few decades ago.
I’m not religious at all. In fact I’m mostly Atheist now, but I think Pope Frances has been the best thing for the Catholic church. He seems humble, a lot more open minded then the past Popes. I think he’s been a positive so far.
Same here, and I’m watching him address Congress right now, talking about the refugee crisis, do unto others. I really like him. I hope his words have an effect.
I am not religious (although I am technically catholic since I was baptised and received all sacraments up to the so-called “confirmation”), but I have a soft spot for Pope Francesco. He’s the first pope I feel a personal connection to, he seems like a genuinely amazing person who is profoundly invested in his mission and dedicated to being a moral guide rather than a dictator of morality.
He seems to be able to speak to a wider audience, not only to those of Catholic faith, he’s also been actively calling out the bigotry, hypocrisy and over-all of non-sense of religion (discrimination, sexism, homophobia and such). A big hurrah for him!
I don’t feel that visiting dogs has anything to do with being a catholic or that its a wow factor.
Not a fan, have you listened to anything else the Pope has said? Yes, he visited to dogs. But have you listened to what he has said about forgiveness, loving your fellow humans, bigotry?
@not a fan
I don’t feel that your comment has anything to do with what I wrote.
The Pope took his name from St. Francis of Assisi who is the patron saint of animals. Hence the meeting with the pups
“dedicated to being a moral guide rather than a dictator of morality.”
That’s the crux of it, right there. I’m not Catholic. I’m not even a religious or spiritual person. But I really love this pope. For the exact reason you named.
He remains a product of the system and a firm believer that his version is “right”. That is to be expected. Yes, he has had some good things to say about serving the poor, but he isn’t a giant reformer who is going to address the evils that organized religion can bring.
His quote about “non-believers”?
“We also sense our closeness to all those men and women who, although not identifying themselves as followers of any religious tradition, are nonetheless searching for truth, goodness and beauty, the truth, goodness and beauty of God. They are our valued allies in the commitment to defending human dignity, in building a peaceful coexistence between peoples and in safeguarding and caring for creation.”
No, atheists and non-Catholics are not seeking the truth, goodness, and beauty of your version of God. Accept it and stop trying to subsume them under your paradigm. Honor their beliefs and lack thereof.
I think you are over reacting to that statement. He is just saying we should all seek the common good and treat each other with dignity.
No, I think he is a religious leader who thinks that everyone is supposed to believe in God. He is taking the actions of good people who happen to be atheists and stating that really, they’re seeking God they just haven’t figured it out yet. That is disrespectful. He cannot accept that you can be both a good person and an atheist.
It isn’t overreacting, it is assessing what he has said, how he has clarified, and reaching a conclusion. He thinks it is wrong not to believe in God. Fine, but let’s not pretend he doesn’t believe that.
I’d say every religion thinks “their” version is the correct one. Look at any other church to see.
Still, catholics receive a lot of heat. Not every experience in a certain religion is the same for everyone or for every community.
As a catholic I do not feel a need to “recover” or to escape. I see that there are people of other religions and I respect their views. I also have my own views, and some of them disagree with the core of what Catholic church does. I support gay marriage and of course contraception, I understand abortion, particularly more in certain cases, but not as a contraception method.
I loathed how a very conservative government (was it Paraguay? ) did not allow a very young child who was pregnant to even consider abortion from rape. For them it is a felony or something like that. Terrible thing, she should at list have had the option.
No one in my church is attacking me for my views, none is controlling me, yes ,there are hardcore believers , and some are very active in their dislikes and maybe even hateful campaigns, but you see extremes in every belief.
I can see some atheists jumping at the throats of religious people posting on some sites. It is a sad thing to see, just equal at forcing your beliefs (or non beliefs onto others.
You can call me a person who picks and chooses from my religion, but I am comfortable that way. I tend to believe that ultimately the church will allow priests to marry too.
@ notasugarhere
The pope believes that everything good comes from god. So if anybody is looking for anything good then the Pope would describe that as something good according to catholicism and accordingly something good from God.
You can’t seriously hold his religion against him. That would be ridiculous and discriminating.
And it is an improvement for a catholic pope to acknowledge that non-believers can strive for the same good things that the catholics strive for albeit under a different name. Some times ago you actually had to be a catholic in order to strive for good things. If you weren’t a catholic you were not capable of doing the same good things that catholics were supposed to do just because you were a non-believer.
Thank God the Pope changed back this thing to a more sane view.
I am allowed to hold against him, and any like him, who insist upon praying for those who do not believe. That is offensive to me. Leave those of us who choose to be free from religion out of it.
To find the pope in the White House could take forever! Good luck if he gets lost!
😀
My goodness, those Obama girls are so grown up and pretty. I thought it was nice to have children in the White House again.
I’m ambivalent about Pope Francis. I respect his position as the leader of the Catholic Church and I think he’s a genuinely good and spiritual man, but I can’t agree with women not being allowed to be priests, priests not allowed to be married, no birth control, no choice, no gay marriage.
Pope Francis actually spoke in favour of birth control, he has also said that people of all sexual preferences shouldn’t be discriminated.
It’s almost a miracle that a Pope has made such radical public statements about those subjects. He’s really a great leader and I hope Catholics support him.
Oh and I agree about the Obama girls, they’re absolutely gorgeous.
He doesn’t think anyone should be discriminated against, but does not support gay marriage. That’s my understanding, at least. It makes no sense to me. Thanks for the info about birth control. That’s encouraging.
The Catholic Church will support gay marriage one day, I’m sure of it. It’s just an incredibly slow process, but it will come. You can’t expect a radical change of view in the Vatican.
I still don’t get the fascination with the First Family. I have no idea how my president’s kids look like. I don’t even know their names. I barely know how her husband looks like. And you guys know how their dogs are called.
He spoke in favor of family planning– but the church position that only “natural” family planning (which has a very high failure rate) is accepted and that other forms of contraception are a sin is still firmly in place.
He also is on record urging women to avoid the pitfalls of “spinsterhood.”
He didn’t speak in favor of birth control that I remember. He said The Church had other things to worry about, but he didn’t make it “legal” for Catholics to use birth control. He’s starting with baby steps like addressing the process of annulments.
The Catholic Church is making steps in the right direction regarding gay marriage and birth control. Small steps, but steps still. If the Catholic Church is anything, it’s adaptable.
From a Catholics perspective, there are things in Protestantism I could never get behind, like the Solas, mainly Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura, but that’s fine. As long as we all respect eachother’s beliefs and don’t push our beliefs on others, we should all be fine.
These are positions on social issues that I would be uncomfortable with in my faith. There are many elements of the Catholic religion that I could not “get behind,” especially transubstantiation, and I see no reason to go into all of them. You have a right to believe whatever you choose as long as your positions don’t hurt anyone else. I think your social policies do hurt people, and that’s why I object to them.
And by the way, re Sole Fide and Sola Scriptura, Protestants are not just one big lump. I’m Episcopalian, and we believe good works do count towards justification.
Sorry GNAT, I don’t know that much about Protestantism apart from the things I learned in religion classes in school because there aren’t any here where I live. I never even met one in person.
Does the Church have issue? Yes it does. But it is changing and I do believe it is a force of good. And being Catholic is a huge part of who I am, not just spritually, but socially and culturologically.
Oh, Franca, the Catholic Church does SO much good for so many – the poor, especially. I never meant to imply otherwise.
GNAT is right – I crossed over from RCC to Episcopalian after getting married (my Lutheran-confirmed husband felt very unwelcome in the RCC, and I was tired of the misogyny, frankly). It’s not that different from Catholicism, but it is more progressive and I would say, even MORE concerned with social justice in all forms.
Francis is a good pope and I think he’s made some long-needed changes to the Church, but there’s a lot of work to be done, IMO. I don’t know that he can accomplish it all.
I hadn’t heard anything from Francis about birth control– if any articles could be shared, that would be appreciated.
I do not believe he is anti married priests, Eastern Rite Catholics have married priests, and it is a topic now being discussed openly. Women priests may be sooner than we think as well.
Unless Humanae vitae is thrown out the window, no abortion, no birth control. Theology of the Body explains it it great detail. I’d suggest reading it, not to agree with it, but to get a larger understanding of what Pope Paul VI was saying, and how JPII expanded on it.
I personally do not think Francis is making changes, but rather presenting a more pastoral approach, and really living as a follower of Christ. Benedict was to in his head, and focused on form and function (he is/was brilliant, but didn’t seem warm), and JPII was too traumatized by life under WWII and communism, IMO. They caused him to turn a blind eye to rot in the church, as long as the perpetrators were “orthodox” (see Legionaires of Christ for a prime example).
I’m an active, practicing Catholic, I love my faith, but as a product of humans (at least the part we see on earth), I know people are not perfect, and so there is a lot to be fixed.
I am a recovering Catholic but i LOVE this Pope!! He is amazing.
I’m not a religious person and don’t agree with everything he stands for but I do like him.
Remember how little Malia & Sasha were when the Prez was first elected. They’re such beautiful young ladies now…ah, time flies and I feel old.
Yes, Pope Francis seems like a decent bloke but lets get onto the important bit. Dogs! pity you can’t see them in the photo’s, but you can here,
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Sunny_and_Bo.jpg
they are GORGEOUS! #Iwantpotusdogs
Wonderful dogs
Pope Francis has been the best thing for the Catholic Church. His DC visit has been made of win. He’ll be off to NYC and then to Philadelphia this weekend where he will do a Papal Mass on the Ben Franklin Parkway.
He’s also been doing commercials in Philadelphia in charming English saying how he cannot wait to come here and that he’ll be there and he hopes people will come too.
Considering that the brainiacs in charge spent more time scaring people with all the security measures, road closures and general life disruption and when they realized they might not be getting the visitors they hoped, they changed their tactics. Especially local people, some of who made plans to be out of town this weekend, as schools are off Wed-Friday and Catholic and public schools in the city are off Monday too.
Hey, Sunny and Bo are ITALIAN water dogs, so he should totally adopt one too!
(yes I know the Pope is Argentinian but I’m saying this since the Vatican City is within Italy)
Also I’m reading everyone’s comments about how they used to be Catholic/aren’t very religious but they are so inspired by this Pope–I’m also not very religious (very casual Methodist) but it makes me wonder if he really is a sign/gift from (a) God.
Sunny and Bo are Portuguese water dogs, I think.
As for the Pope…he is really amazing, isn’t he? Like so many others, I find him inspirational in spite of the fact that I am not religious and a recovering Catholic. There is just something about him…maybe he is divine? Who knows…definitely a very special person, though.
oh gosh you’re right, I can’t believe I messed that up, LOL.
Another recovering Catholic who has been brought to tears by this Pope’s warmth and humanity. If he had come along twenty five years ago and made a difference, I might still be a practicing Catholic today.
I want to know who the short man with the glasses who was running to be with him is??? Anyone. My sister thought maybe security, but he’s so small.
Maybe a translator or an assistant?
Due to the clothes colour I would say he’s a Cardinal.
He wouldn’t be a translator as all priests are required to speak at least 5 modern languages. The previous Pope spoke more than 20, and I’m sure this one speaks a decent amount as well.
Aha! Just read that he is indeed a translator. His name is Monsignor Mark Miles.
Here is an article about the people traveling with the Pope:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/whos-that-with-pope-francis-the-seven-kinds-of-people-you-meet-in-a-papal-entourage/2015/09/22/545822fc-5e30-11e5-9757-e49273f05f65_story.html
Thank you to everyone! Now my sister can relax. She thought he was secret service in disguise. She has issues!
I love that Pope Francis is being renamed as “The People’s Pope”. He has charisma, but he is also taking strides in making the Catholic church more inclusive. Not enough in my opinion because they’re still crazy about marriages and contraceptives, but they are taking steps.
Definitely steps in the right direction. “The People’s Pope” is a fitting title, to be sure.
Another non religious person who loves this Pope. I also love that the Congress invited the conservative Benedictine as a right wing culture war and instead they get Francis who would rather feed the homeless then schmooze with them. That being said he’s coming to NYC next and I’m not looking forward to the nightmare traffic situation.
But what type of dog would a Pope have? I’m going to throw a Newfoundland out there just because.
Because they’re awesome?
NEWFIES ARE AWESOME.
but I’m thinking Greyhound. (they’re awesome, too, BTW…)
Definitely a boxer called Rocky 😉
A Peter joke! 😀
St. Bernard
win
I agree it would be a large breed. God knows the Vatican is roomy enough.
I’m seeing a greyhound for an elegant accessory next to the Pope’s throne.
I grew up in a Catholic Country and as a Lapsed Catholic, totally agnostic person I can tell you this pope makes me think I could dabble in Catholicism again if he is gonna make it this warm/inclusive/open and Un-assholey
Also The Obama girls are SOOOO tall and Beautiful! time flies!
+1
I’m Episcopalian, so I’ve been surprised to realize how interested I am in the Pope’s visit. I’ve loved the pomp and circumstance, and it’s been fun to see how excited people are to see him. He seems like a great ambassador for the Catholic church.
As for Bo and Sunny, they’re so adorable. One of my favorite things about following Pete Souza on social media is seeing his pictures of the dogs. Also, watching the Obamas and their beautiful girls walk out to greet the Pope at the airport made me realize how much I’m going to miss having them as the First Family.
I just want footage of the Pope saying, “WHO’S A GOOD DOGGIE? WHO’S A GOOD DOGGIE? YOU ARE!” in Spanish.
+1
I’m not Catholic, but I like this pope. I feel like he’s more progressive, and is trying to bring focus back onto the important things, like taking care of the poor and the earth itself.
He seemed to have a nice visit with the Obamas and the White House, and the photo with the dogs is so cute. I forgot they have 2 dogs.
I was baptized in the Catholic Church and went to CCD class and all that. But my mom, who went to Catholic school from k-12 and grew up in a strict Catholic household stepped away from the church and we stopped going when I was in the 4th grade. My husband is Baptist and his family’s extracurricular activities were all about the church. Currently I am trying to find a church that doesn’t piss me off (I’m very liberal). I recently went to a Methodist church with a friend and really enjoyed it, the message was love one another, unconditionally and without conviction. Granted it was only one service I attended but I’ll try it again. All that being said, I really like this Pope a lot. Yes, he has views I don’t agree with, but that’s okay. As long as he’s loving and treats people with respect and kindness, which he seems to do.
It may be different depending on where you live, but my Episcopal church is completely inclusive. Gays, women priests, everybody is welcome. You might try it.
Thanks GNAT. My friend has been telling me about the Episcopal church as well. She said they were inclusive but that the service was similar to a Catholic service in it’s structure. Kneel, stand up, now say this…that kind of thing, which turned me off. But sounds like I should give it try!
I think the Catholic church will have married Priests before they’d ever allow a woman to be a Priest.
yeah, what GNAT said…Episcopalians are pretty chill…most Catholics I know refer to it as “Catholic-light”…as in, all of the spirituality, none of the condemnation/guilt!
We are up and down a lot, I have to admit.
I think it depends on the church itself and the environment its in. I went to a Baptist church as a kid that was very inclusive and positive in message, but I know that’s not universal in the denomination.
I’m not from the US, but my local priest is super liberal. So is my family and we’re all practising Catholics. So it may not be what denomination you chose, but the specific church and priest and the community you chose.
MG, you could always try the Unitarian Universalists.
I’m Catholic, and I think this Pope seems to have a finger on the pulse of reality, which is good. I just hope that the next one continues with Pope Francis’ direction instead of taking us backwards again.
I grew up Catholic and now I’m raising my children Catholic. My husband is an atheist but still goes to church with us. I just hope the pope is for real and not just pulling one over on all of us. It’s hard not to be jaded with everything you hear and read anymore.
Just popped in to say I love my Pope. He wants a poor church to serve the poor, emotionally, physically and financially. He teaches love and forgiveness. He is taking active steps to cleanse the financial shenanigans of the past. And his words have helped me through the hardest year of my life.
I read a lovely story years ago. A pope kept a cat as a pet. One day, the animal fell asleep on one of the pope’s long sleeves.
The pope had an assistant cut the sleeve off rather than wake the cat up.
Ok. His Popeship’s address is live on BBC News. Who are the two twits sitting behind him making such a dire fist of looking like they’re even paying attention? Could a nice Celebitch enlighten me, please nicely? Presumably important US politicians? They need better game faces. Green Tie Man in particular.
ETA: the first one has come to me. Joe Biden, right?
The orange one is Speaker of the House Boehner. He always looks sour, especially when President Obama is speaking.
PS. Biden is usually beaming. He’s probably trying to look serious.
Thank you! Now I’ve spotted him, I can’t take my eyes off him. He’s rolling his eyes, snotting his nose, staring vacantly into the distance, sighing, and lord knows what else. I mean, I’m an atheist but it’s the POPE for heavens sakes. And a nice Pope, at that. At least look interested!
If you say so, I’ll let Biden off with a Poor Serious Face warning!
Actually, Boehner is occasionally wiping away tears. (The orange guy.) (Oh, and both Biden and Boehner are Catholics.)
Boehner does tear up fairly easily. He’s near sobbing right now on the balcony.
sixer, I never loved you more. This made me laugh so hard. Those two twits…yup.
Biden’s son recently died from brain cancer and he may be overcome by grief and emotion at this momentous occasion.
Oops. No offence, guys. If these two are true believers, then y’know – good for them.
I think I just find that standard expression politicians wear to come across as utterly insincere, maybe.
GNAT: that’s the Britisher in me! We exhibit no respect for politicians of any stripe, I’m afraid. No matter how high the office they hold.
I like this pope. He seems like a thoroughly good egg.
I’m not Catholic, but I like this Pope. His speech to the joint session was THE BOMB. I love that he dines with the homeless instead of politicians. In light of contemptible behavior toward the poor in #piggate, Benedict gives me hope that people in power can give a sh*t about the disadvantaged, affirming their dignity as humans and seeking to make their lives better.
It’s a game at my house to watch John Boehner cry. He tears up on the regular. He was making such awful faces as he tried to keep from sobbing. It would have been better to let tears run down his face, but he might be worried that his orange would streak. 😊
@Sixer, I have absolutely no respect for Boehner. The man has spent the last 5 years trying to deprive me and thousands of others of medically necessary health care coverage while we pay for his.
Boehner, the orange one, often looks like he has fallen asleep up there. He may be Catholic but most of the church’s positive teachings are lost on him. Likely he opposes just about everything this Pope preaches
I visited the White House last year (on the regular tour, not anything fancy) and the dog walker just happened to be coming through so we got to pet Sunny. She licked my daughter’s face and I desperately wanted to take a picture but the secret service guy standing behind us was NOT HAVING IT. Biggest bummer ever. This has nothing to do with the Pope but…yeah…dogs are love.
That’s so cute! What a great experience.
Ugh. Sorry, but this Pope has the best PR campaign in history.
Cradle Catholic here & I just love him! Especially his new stance on remarried Catholics & shortening the time re: annulments. He’s fantastic.
I love Pope Francis!! I’m Catholic and can remember growing up and knowing who the current Pope was, but that’s as far as it went. Pope Francis wants everyone to love and really reaches out to the youth. He takes selfies! Lol and they are the best thing on Twitter right now!! He realizes that the world is changing and that our Faith’s must evolve as well ( i.e – being accepting of others sexuality)
i used to like him but he said some stupid shit about mexico
He gave a good speech to Congress, one that this Congress definitely needs to hear. He seems to be so sincere in his faith instead of just talking about Church politics. Liked his mention of Dorthy Day. If you don’t know who she is, look her up. She is one of the most interesting & socially challenging women in our history. Plus, a bada** on top of it.
That Airman has to hold that salute until President O. returns it.
It only takes a second, Commander in Chief.
So happy he wasn’t afraid to speak on ABORTION! It is exactly what you know it IS! So sick and tired of the ridiculous debate on the murder of the defenseless and speechless. I AM pro-choice by the way because I believe we all get to make our own decisions, but the fantasy that it’s not/ never was a real person is pure delusion to coddle oneself.
I love the Obama’s, but I’d rather meet the dogs too! The Obama girls look lovely!
I love this Pope. I love watching him light up when children are brought to him for a blessing, but he honestly looked just as delighted to be among the homeless in DC. I imagine some Bishops and Cardinals have had to cut back on luxuries after seeing the Pope turn down the Papal apartments, cars etc. Remember his predecessor with his red Prada slippers? And there’s Pope Francis in a Fiat. A good man.
The photo op with the dogs are cute , but his stance agsnist Israel sadly is not .
I’m a very ex-Catholic. I refused to have my daughter confirmed in a religion that disrespects women. But I like this Pope a lot. And I love that he scolded our Congress. I’m glad he made John Boehner cry, although he does cry a lot. I think he needs to quit drinking so much.
I can’t believe the American hubris in the title of this article. Really, Pope Francis GOT to meet Presidebt Obama and he dog? It would be kind of laughable if it wasn’t so sad.