Pope Francis begins second leg of US visit in New York

[webfact]

Pope Francis begins second leg of US visit in New York



NEW YORK: -- Pope Francis has been welcomed to New York by throngs of people who lined the city’s Fifth Avenue.

The pontiff made his way down the famous artery in Manhattan in his popemobile to the recently renovated Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, where around 3,000 people crammed inside for an evening prayer service.

Francis avoided making any political statements and focused solely on spiritual issues – calling for “gratitude and hard work”.

This softer tone was in stark contrast to his comments at the US Congress on Thursday.

There he delivered a speech that dealt with several issues important to both Republicans and Democrats.

The pope alluded to abortion and euthanasia, defended traditional family values and called for the abolition of the death penalty.

The pontiff’s plea on immigration received a mixed reaction.

“We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation. To respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal,” said Pope Francis.

The pontiff will address the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, visit the 9/11 memorial and celebrate mass at Madison Square Garden. The final leg of his journey will be a visit to Philadelphia.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2015-09-25

[zaphod reborn]

The pope alluded to abortion and euthanasia, defended traditional family values and called for the abolition of the death penalty. The pontiff’s plea on immigration received a mixed reaction.

Is he going to run for the GOP nomination? He has a lot of nerve visiting a country he has never been to before and telling them how to legislate morality. He should clean up his own house which suffers from much deeper moral issues.

[Usernames]

The pope alluded to abortion and euthanasia, defended traditional family values and called for the abolition of the death penalty. The pontiff’s plea on immigration received a mixed reaction.

Is he going to run for the GOP nomination? He has a lot of nerve visiting a country he has never been to before and telling them how to legislate morality. He should clean up his own house which suffers from much deeper moral issues.

Sounded like he's running for the Democratic nomination. Yes, feel sorry for the poor, poor mexican immigrant who only comes from the 15th wealthiest country in the world. Stupid pope needs to get on his broom and get back to Roma.

[Jingthing]

Has he put on a lot of weight since he became Pope? I hope he takes better care of himself.

He's not a an American politician. He said stuff to both please and offend both major sides of the U.S. political divide.

Edited September 25, 2015 by Jingthing

[Jonmarleesco]

'“We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather ... respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal ...' And just how many will the Vatican state accommodate?

[Jingthing]

'“We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather ... respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal ...' And just how many will the Vatican state accommodate?

Preaching.

[JetsetBkk]

I just find it so terribly...

.

[puck2]

Has he put on a lot of weight since he became Pope? I hope he takes better care of himself.

He's not a an American politician. He said stuff to both please and offend both major sides of the U.S. political divide.

But the Pope made the House Speaker (Boehner) crying.

Don't know why, because

- the Pope let the US look into a mirror ....

or

- he knew already about his own resignation (as speaker), at the and of October. Chaos in the Rep-Party, not very surprising, but well deserved.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/26/us/john-boehner-to-resign-from-congress.html?_r=0

Edited September 26, 2015 by puck2

[JetsetBkk]

'We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather ... respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal ...' And just how many will the Vatican state accommodate?

Next stop Hungary. See how well his views go down there.

Or Poland: