Pope Francis at the core of his speech was the benevolence of the American people and it's values.
He asked us to search our history to find the best of those values.
First some notables about the crowds waiting outside in the seated area and on the lawn. There were predominately Caucasians attending the speech today. There was about an equal distribution of men and women. There were children of all ages including infants only weeks old. The minorities that attended were primarily men with an occasional woman. I didn't see any young minority children. Those observations were true of the seated area and the lawn. There were priests on the lawn and they were primarily young men.
It is noteworthy to state the majority of African American population in the USA attend protestant churches. That is not a discriminatory statement so much as one that seeks to understand the low attendance of minorities today.
Among government attendees was the color green. Not red, not white, not blue, but, green. Speaker Boehner wore his green tie today. I believe it was Rep. Gwen Moore that wore a green suit. So, members of Congress should be wearing green in addition to the more traditional colors and more often than St. Patrick's Day.
The differences between the Democrats and Republicans were never more evident than the social media entries by Senator Cornyan and Senator Leahy. Senator Cornyn's posting to his social media was self-serving with him and a priest in the picture. Senator Leahy's social media posting was that of the crowds gathering at the Capital Building. I think that more than expresses the political focus of them and their constituencies.
There were also some nuns seated in the grassy area and there flags being waved from as far away as Hawaii and Alaska. There were country flags as well among those attending. I would say there were primarily from the Western Hemisphere.
There was a bipartisan committee that escorted the Pope into the House Chamber. It would be nice if there was more bipartisan meetings out of the chambers of their offices. It might create friendships that will sustain through every session of Congress. It is a failing of the members of Congress to bridge that divide and yes there is a divide. I could not believe Scalise was among those escorting the Pope. He could have excused himself for the racist he is rather than attempt to garner distraction from that fact, but, whoever said a racist had dignity, morals or conscience.
Newt Gingrich was seated in the chamber with his wife for the same purpose Scalise was there. But, then, you see Pope Francis gives him real reason to be in attendance. Pope Francis wants to welcome back those that were separated or divorced with annulments that preserve their religious faith and dedication.
Only four of the Justices were in attendance, Roberts, Breyer, Sotomayor and Ginsberg. There is no doubt the conservatives are not as welcoming to diversity. I would say the conservative court is more moral in their decision making, but, this speaks loudly to the fact the majority of their decisions are economic skewed to poverty of the masses.
There were a few of the President's Cabinet there including State, Labor, EPA, Homeland Security and Housing and Urban Development. As Pope Francis walked to the front of the chamber there were plenty of applause and to note, he recognized Secretary Kerry and shook his hand.
He simply amazes me with his incredible patience. He greeted everyone with a pause in their applause and then shook the hand of Speaker Boehner and Vice President Biden. He then asked permission to take the speakers podium. He is by far the most humble man I've ever seen at that podium.
The emotional range of his speech was incredible, from joy to shame and concluding in dignity. He called us to do better. I'll address the speech later. It requires a little bit of composition. He called on icons that have to be respected in their persons as much as the Pope is in his.
Until later.
I appreciated Cardinal Dolan mentioning the emphasis of the message of Pope Francis' speech to Congress. I think Pope Francis was gratified to have been heard and embraced. He should know we are all listening. I am confident many are measuring themselves in the wake of his words. I find his a breath of fresh air. 
I appreciated Cardinal Dolan mentioning the emphasis of the message of Pope Francis' speech to Congress. I think Pope Francis was gratified to have been heard and embraced. He should know we are all listening. I am confident many are measuring themselves in the wake of his words. I find his a breath of fresh air. 
