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http://www.americanews.com/story/religion/2015/09/23/pope-francis-will-dine-homeless-declines-dinner-politicians?fb=ptba#
Pope Francis turned down the opportunity to dine with politicians in favor of
breaking bread with the homeless after Sept. 24's speech on Capitol Hill.
Following his highly anticipated historical address to Congress, Francis plans
to spend time with homeless individuals at Washington's Catholic Charities
headquarters, an organization dedicated to helping the poor throughout the
Washington, D.C. area, the International Business Times reports.
Monsignor John Enzler, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of
Washington, explained that it is natural for the pope to enact the principles
for which he stands. "The church is where you go on Sunday," he told USA Today,
adding that Francis wants people to live their religious experiences every day.
Enzler, who called the pope his role model, explained that the organization
seeks to give dignity to the less fortunate by helping with laundry, meals,
bathing, and medication.
"There are no closed doors," Enzler said, in reference to the organization's
policy not to turn anyone away, adding that his job "is to be a shepherd of
those in need."
The pope is well known for his commitment to serving and advocating for the
poor. In May, he invited 150 homeless men and women into the Sistine Chapel
from St. Peter's Square and gave them a guided tour, dinner and prayers.
He will visit Catholic Charities on the third day of his U.S. visit, the first
papal visit in 50 years.
While the White House said that the visit will have a political focus, Francis
has already addressed deeply divisive issues including climate change, Cuba,
marriage and immigration in his Sept. 23 speech to 11,000 ticketed guests, CNN
noted.
U.S. social justice activists have brought the issue of homelessness into the
limelight in recent years, reports the International Business Times. Shelter
and low-income housing access has diminished nationwide in the last four years,
while many cities continue to pass ordinances said to criminalize homelessness,
such as banning camping in public and feeding the homeless in public.
