Local Catholics Celebrate Pope Francis' U.S. Visit
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - A joyous crowd welcomed the leader of the Catholic Church to the nation's capital.
Pope Francis officially began his first U.S. tour Wednesday morning with a visit to the White House and a meeting with President Obama.
Francis held a canonization Mass for thousands this afternoon and, speaking in English, said he was grateful for the warm reception.
"As the son of an immigrant family, I am happy to be a guest in this country, which was largely built by such families," he said.
From the Cathedral of St. Paul to the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, Catholicism is part of the Twin Cities culture. The diocese says 25 percent of locals are Catholic.
On Wednesday, some traded couches for pews to watch the pope together.
"God's smiling," said Frank Renshaw with the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community in Wayzata. "This is the time when he's going to make things happen."
"The whole world is watching the Catholic Church and the Catholics, and it's not just about Catholics," Mae Lance said. "It's about everyone."
The pope praised the U.S. for how immigrants are treated and for charity work. He also addressed sex abuse scandals, saying these crimes cannot be repeated.
"What I think comes across with Pope Francis," Sister Katarina Schuth said, "is that he is authentic, he means what he says, he has studied, he understands the issues that he's talked about."
The University of St. Thomas sister isn't just talking off the cuff; she spent time with the pope earlier this month. After a Vatican prayer service, he approached her.
"He said, 'You know, all the sisters in the United States do wonderful work, and I want you to tell them that,'" Schuth said.
She said he is a listener and she hopes her country hears his words on giving and loving, and she hopes Americans are getting the same feeling today that she got to have.
"I was amazed and pleased," she said. "It was such a great privilege and spiritual moment."
In news coverage at Catholic Churches during the past year, people have said over and over that "we need healing."
Several parishioners said Wednesday they hope this visit is bringing that to the U.S. and to the Twin Cities.
Before Wednesday's Mass, the pope spoke with President Obama in a private one-on-one meeting and called for Americans to reject unjust discrimination and to protect religious liberty.
But the focus of his speech was dedicated to climate change and on Thursday, Francis will become the first pope to address a joint meeting of Congress. He is expected to once again touch on the hot-button immigration issue.
