For full disclosure, I am not a confirmed Catholic. I have only been to mass a handful of times in my life, and I respectfully claim ignorance to the doctrines or customs of the Catholic Church. But, even as a stuffy Presbyterian, I am enamored with Pope Francis' visit to the United States.
His visit is undoubtedly historic. Never has a Pope addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress and never has there never been a time in world history where mankind's free will has played such a pivotal role in our surrounding environment or our future. The Pope has recognized this.
The United States has a murky track record when it comes to weaving religion into our politics and policy making, but the Pontiff's concerns with climate change, global poverty and human rights issues should be cornerstones for both the faith and geo-political communities.
After arriving in the U.S. Wednesday, Pope Francis was invited to the White House. He traveled from Cuba in an effort to show support for re-established U.S. relations with the island nations, as well as to address the suppression of the church by the Cuban government. He told reporters he was traveling to the U.S. as a migrant.
During a speech in the White House Rose Garden — presumably a preview of his Thursday's address to a join session of the U.S. Congress — the Pontiff not only acknowledged climate change is real and a threat, he said, "it seems clear to me also that climate change is a problem that can no longer be left to a future generation. What it comes to the care of our 'common home' we are living at a critical moment of history."
Some members of Congress have stated their intentions to boycott the Pope's speech Thursday night due to his comments on climate change. But as a man of faith and as a world leader in peace, I believe the Pope is obligated to remind Christians and followers of all world religions that humans are meant to be stewards of the Earth. Regardless of a particular political party's belief or disbelief in climate change, Pope Francis' message is just as much about taking care of what humans inherited from nature and God.
The Pope knows that climate change is the issue of our time. He promotes unity, and there is no better way to create a united human race than to care for our collective home.
Contact Mike Mendenhall at mmendenhall@newtondailynews.com