Unless you’re living under a rock\u00a0that doesn’t get Wifi, you’ve heard about Pope Francis’ visit to the United States of America.<\/p>\n
His visit was historic. It was inspiring. It was filled with surprises and joy and humility. Everything he said could be turned into a semester-long study on theology or ecology or human rights.<\/p>\n
If he had the ego of a celebrity (instead of the humility of a saint), and a Papal microphone, he would have dropped it so much it would be in tiny pieces by the time he boarded his plane back to Rome.<\/p>\n
I could go on, but I don’t want to juxtapose any more of my puny words next to his Holy-Spirit-infused words.<\/p>\n
Below you’ll find just a small selection of his quotes while visiting the U.S. Read them. Let your mouth drop open. Scratch your head. Consult your CCC and Bible. Then add them to your arsenal of evangelism tools and spread the love.<\/p>\n
Mind Blowing Quotes from Papa Francesco’s Visit to America<\/strong><\/p>\n “A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology or an economic system, while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellectual freedom and individual freedoms.” – Pope Francis in his address to Congress<\/p>\n “But there is another temptation which we must especially guard against: the simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil; or, if you will, the righteous and sinners. The contemporary world, with its open wounds which affect so many of our brothers and sisters, demands that we confront every form of polarization which would divide it into these two camps. We know that in the attempt to be freed of the enemy without, we can be tempted to feed the enemy within. To imitate the hatred and violence of tyrants and murderers is the best way to take their place.”<\/strong> – Pope Francis in his address to Congress<\/a><\/p>\n “Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War. This presents us with great challenges and many hard decisions. On this continent, too, thousands of persons are led to travel north in search of a better life for themselves and for their loved ones, in search of greater opportunities. Is this not what we want for our own children? 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. We need to avoid a common temptation nowadays: to discard whatever proves troublesome.<\/strong> Let us remember the Golden Rule: \u201cDo unto others as you would have them do unto you\u201d (Mt 7:12).” – Pope Francis in his address to Congress<\/p>\n In a word, if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life;<\/strong> if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities. The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us. The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development.<\/strong> – Pope Francis in his address to Congress<\/p><\/blockquote>\n “We know in faith that Jesus seeks us out. He wants to heal our wounds, to soothe our feet which hurt from travelling alone, to wash each of us clean of the dust from our journey. He doesn\u2019t ask us where we have been, he doesn\u2019t question us what about we have done.<\/strong> Rather, he tells us: \u201cUnless I wash your feet, you have no share with me\u201d (Jn 13:8).”\u00a0– Pope Francis to inmates at Philadelphia prison<\/a><\/p>\n “This time in your life can only have one purpose: to give you a hand in getting back on the right road, to give you a hand to help you rejoin society. All of us are part of that effort, all of us are invited to encourage, help and enable your rehabilitation.”<\/strong> – Pope Francis to inmates at Philadelphia prison<\/p>\n All of the love that God has in himself, all the beauty that he has in himself, he gives it to the family. And the family is really<\/em> family when it is able to open its arms and receive all that love. – Pope Francis at Festival of Families<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n “So great was His love, that He began to walk with humanity, with His people, until the right moment came, and He made the highest expression of love \u2013 His own Son. And where did He send his son \u2013 to a palace? To a city? No. He sent him to a family. God sent him amid a family. And He could do this, because it was a family that had a truly open heart.” – Pope Francis at Festival of Families<\/p>\n “In the family, indeed, there are difficulties. But those difficulties are overcome with love. Hatred is not capable of dealing with any difficulty and overcoming any difficulty. Division of hearts cannot overcome any difficulty. Only love. Only love is able to overcome. Love is about celebration, love is joy, love is moving forward.”<\/strong> – Pope Francis at Festival of Families<\/p>\n Grandparents are the living memory of the family.<\/strong> They passed on the faith, they transmitted the faith, to us. To look after grandparents, to look after children, is the expression of love. A people that doesn\u2019t know how to look after its children or grandparents is a people that has no future. Because it doesn\u2019t have strength or the memory to go forward. – Pope Francis at Festival of Families<\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n Hungry for more? See these sites for more quotes and reflections from Pope Francis’ visit:<\/p>\n NPR: Tough Words from Pope Francis<\/a><\/p>\n NPR: Pope in Philadelphia<\/a><\/p>\n Patheos: Top 10 Quotes from Pope Francis<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"