The Impact of Pope Francis’ Message of Mercy in the United States
During an interview with Vatican News, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, the former President of the US Bishops’ Conference, reflected on the profound impact of Pope Francis’ message of mercy during his historic Apostolic Visit to the United States in 2015. Americans, he noted, were “yearning” for the message of mercy that the Pope brought.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Archbishop Kurtz emphasized that Pope Francis represented “the face of God’s mercy” to both the Church and the nation. He recalled the Pope’s visit with great fondness, highlighting the importance of the message of mercy in a world that is hurting.
Reflecting on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, ‘Evangelii Gaudium,’ Archbishop Kurtz praised the Pope’s pastoral message, describing it as a reflection of his heart and priorities.
During the Pope’s visit to Washington, DC, Archbishop Kurtz was deeply moved by his address to the Joint Meeting of Congress. The Pope’s affirmations of human dignity and freedom resonated deeply with Americans, as he spoke about American heroes and the importance of treating people with dignity.
As Archbishop Kurtz reminisced about accompanying Pope Francis through Washington, New York, and Philadelphia, he shared special memories from the visit, particularly the Pope’s visit to a prison in Northeast Philadelphia. The Archbishop highlighted the personal and personable nature of Pope Francis’ interactions with people during his visit.
In conclusion, Archbishop Kurtz expressed the collective mourning of the Church at the loss of Pope Francis but emphasized the beauty of the memories that will live on.
