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Pope Francis made history Thursday morning, becoming the first pope to address Congress.
His speech was only five pages long, but it made an impact on those who were in the House gallery, and the thousands of faithful who jammed the National Mall to watch the speech on Jumbotron.
Here are five points to take away from the historic moment:
1. Pope Francis guided politicians, especially the members of Congress who attended the speech. He told them "Legislative activity is always based on care for the people. To this you have been invited, called and convened by those who elected you." The Holy Father went further using the story of Moses as a symbol of the job of the country's elected representatives:
"On one hand, the patriarch and lawgiver of the people of Israel symbolizes the need of peoples to keep alive their sense of unity by means of just legislation. On the other, the figure of Moses leads us directly to God and thus to the transcendent dignity of the human being. Moses provides us with a good synthesis of your work: you are asked to protect, by means of the law, the image and likeness fashioned by God on every human face."
>>Read Pope Francis' complete speech
2. Pope Francis spoke directly to the American people about building a better life for their families, as well as, as the elderly and young people of America. He said that many in the country work "each day to do an honest day's work, to bring home and to save money, and - one step at a time - to build a better life for their families." He also said that they aren't just helping their families, but also "create organizations which offer a helping hand to those in need." As for the elderly and younger people, he wants them to speak to each other, with the older population, many of whom are still active working or volunteering, to share their stories with the younger generations. He also wants those young people to listen to the history of the country via the stories of the older generations. He also placed the blame, somewhat, on adults for the problems facing our children. "I also want to dialogue with all those young people who are working to realize their great and noble aspirations, who are not led astray by facile proposals, who face difficult situations, often as a result of immaturity on the part of many adults," he said.
3. Pope Francis highlighted four Americans: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton.
- Lincoln, of course was the 16th president of the United States, who was assassinated 150 years ago. The Holy Father called Lincoln "the guardian of liberty, who labored tirelessly that 'this nation under God, [might] have a new birth of freedom'." Francis said that it is that building that needs the "the cooperation in a spirit of subsidiarity and solidarity." He highlighted the wars and hatred in the name of God and religion that are facing the world today. He said that we need to be aware of all extremism or fundamentalism, no matter the religion. Francis also warns of those who look at the world in only good or evil, or the righteous and sinners. Instead of looking at the world as polarizing, we need to respond with "hope and healing, of peace and justice."
- Pope Francis used Martin Luther King, Jr's. march for equality from Selma to Montgomery 50 years ago to inspire the current America to continue dreaming, saying "That Dream continues to inspire us all. I am happy that America continues to be, for many, a land of 'dreams.' Dreams which lead to action, to participation, to commitment. Dreams which awaken what is deepest and truest in the life of a people." He also spoke about the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Pope Francis said that the rule points us all in a direction - to treat each other with compassion, to help each other.
- Dorothy Day was a woman who founded The Catholic Worker Movement in 1933, in the middle of the Great Depression to extend hospitality through social services. She also started "The Catholic Worker" newspaper. She, along with the movement, wanted to look after the needs of all by doing daily "Works of Mercy" and through "Houses of Hospitality." The movement is still active to this day with more than 236 communities worldwide. Pope Francis wants Americans to "keep in mind all those people around us who are trapped in a cycle of poverty. They too need to be given hope. The fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts, especially in its causes."
- Thomas Merton was a Cistercian monk, born in America. Pope Francis called him "a source of spiritual inspiration and a guide for many people." Francis said that Merton was a promoter of peace between peoples and religions." Using Merton, Francis would like the nations of the world to build bridges and start talking. "A good political leader is one who, with the interests of all in mind, seizes the moment in a spirit of openness and pragmatism." It all has the hope of ending the armed conflicts plaguing the world.
4. Pope Francis previewed his trip to Philadelphia. He will participate in the World Meeting of Families. He said the family, in a bigger sense, is threatened "from within and without. Fundamental relationships are being called into question, as is the very basis of marriage and family."
5. Pope Francis finished his speech by highlighting "the world's most vulnerable, the young."
"For many of them, a future filled with countless possibilities beacons, yet so many others seem disoriented and aimless, trapped in a hopeless maze of violence, abuse and despair. Their problems are our problems. We cannot avoid them. We need to face them together, to talk about them and to seek effective solutions rather than get bogged down in discussions."
