About Pope Francis’ possible USA trip

From the Holy See:

the Holy See Press Office given today:

“Regarding visits to America, there have been several invitations that the Pope is carefully considering. The Holy Father has indicated his willingness to participate in the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015 but at the present moment, there are no concrete plans or programs for any visits to the United States or Mexico. Keep in mind that we are still one year away from the Philadelphia meeting.”

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20 Comments

  1. Dr. Edward Peters says:

    In short, we have no idea what’s actually happening.

  2. jacobi says:

    I think it would be excellent if the Holy Father were to visit the USA. After all, from what I can see, the Church has many problems there requiring his attention.

    Mark you, that is true of many places in the world.

    I mean there is Iraq, for example. Perhaps a visit there might come first?

  3. MarkG says:

    There are probably some things I don’t know about that run up the planning and costs, but I’ve always wondered why Papal visits have to be such massive planned events costing millions of dollars, most of it doing to “throw away” infrastructure rather than just using existing infrastructure.

    World leaders visit the USA regularly, often on short notice and seem to be able to make good use of existing infrastructure. Often facilities are provided at no cost as venues make money off of parking and concession sales.

    There are indoor stadiums around the USA that hold 100k+ plus people and outdoor NASCAR stadiums that hold 250k+ people, all with existing infrastructure such as parking, restrooms, food concessions, security, and the know how of how to host an event with that many people. Plus existing TV broadcast facilities, jumbotrons, etc.

    Would it be possible to schedule a Papal visit during the fall or spring during temperate weather and use existing NASCAR stadiums or similar venues? Spend as little as possible on anything new. Just rent a high quality stage.

    I remember when Pope St. John Paul visited locally. They rented rural land and spent $18 million on infrastructure which was all throw away. There was a NASCAR stadium a hours drive away that was sitting empty that weekend.

  4. PA mom says:

    If he does come, this will be my first real chance to see a Pope.

    That would be wonderful!

  5. Geoffrey says:

    I think I am one of the few not surprised by this. Benedict XVI said that he would attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. I assumed Pope Francis would try to honour that, just as Benedict XVI honoured the planned trips of his holy predecessor.

  6. frjim4321 says:

    Given the popularity of this pope I wonder if previous venues that had been sufficient in capacity would no longer be viable?

    I saw JPII in St. Louis and that was in an indoor stadium. That seemed to work out . . . but tickets were extremely limited.

  7. MarkG says:

    @FrJim
    I think you are probably right that previous venues might be too small for this Pope. I guess there will always be people who want to see the Pope but don’t get a chance to.
    Maybe they could just try to plan longer routes for the Pope-mobile and go slower so everyone who wants to see the Pope can get a chance to see him.

  8. Mike says:

    If the Holy Father makes his appearance in Lincoln Financial Field, all the Archdiocese of Philadelphia need do is leave the running of security to Iggles fans. What could go wrong?

  9. frjim4321 says:

    I find it interesting that the prelate of Philly says “He’s coming,” but the Vatican says, “Maybe.”

    Not being much of a fan of that prelate, I would not be displeased if the next U.S. papal visit is some other place.

  10. Elizabeth D says:

    Fr Jim, this is Archbishop Chaput’s keynote address at the Napa Institute explaining Pope Francis’ economic teachings, I think it is excellent. Might make you a fan. http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr002014.php

    I love Chaput, he was my preference to be Pope.

  11. frjim4321 says:

    Elizabeth, I’ll review it.

    I don’t buy in to the siege mentality the he’s locked into. But I’ll keep an open mind and read the talk.

    He’s not papal material, he’s too extreme.

  12. Elizabeth D says:

    I mis-googled and gave the wrong link, this is the link to Chaput’s talk at Napa Institute THIS year http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-and-economic-justice/

    Chaput is “extreme” like St Francis of Assisi and all holy men and women are extreme. Extremely good. But your purpose here Fr Jim is to be the exemplar of wrongheadedness for purposes of conversation.

  13. robtbrown says:

    Fr Jim 4321

    It is the nature of being in a religious Institute to be more extreme – – thus the vows.

    And, IMHO, it is the nature of the Jesuit vocation to be the most extreme–and to be adept at hiding it

  14. robtbrown says:

    Elizabeth D

    I read the talks from both of your links, and I have to say I disagree with certain facets of the Bergoglio/Chaput views.

    The acquisition and use of personal goods does not exist for the common good. Such acquisition and use, however, must not be in opposition to the common good. Thus the common good exercises negative governance over the personal good (cf subsidiarity). There is also a personal obligation to contribute to the common good.

    I agree with Chris Lowney, an investment banker who once was a Jesuit scholastic. He is a fan of the Pope but thinks an opportunity was missed, largely because the reference to trickle down economics was little else than a caricature.

  15. Elizabeth D says:

    I don’t think the Pope is an economist, nor is he a superb theologian like Benedict. I do think his intent is identical with the Catholic tradition of social teaching, and I do not see anything wrong with Chaput’s talk explaining Francis to the Napa Institute crowd, which I think is a good work of mercy. I am uncomfortable with the polarization of those who distance themselves from not only Francis’ confusing and vague style of expressing himself but even from the substance of what he is teaching, which Chaput does a service by making it more comprehensible.

    Our providing for our true personal needs and our family is also a contribution to the common good. We provide for ourself and our family first of all, then for others, with priority to those most in need.

  16. robtbrown says:

    Elizabeth D

    There is a difference between, say, a physician who receives financial remuneration for his work and a Jesuit physician whose financial remuneration goes straight to his religious order. The former concerns the personal good, the latter the common good.

    I realize the Pope is not an economist, but I also agree with Chris Lowney that an opportunity was missed.

  17. Elizabeth D says:

    My point is that although it is also significant that the good of an individual person is an end in itself, in my own person I am for the common good also, never only for my own personal good. My life, my thriving, my holiness is a good for the community. Surely this is true of anyone. Taking care of my own legitimate needs enables me to be of service to the common good. On the other hand if I have a mentality of luxury and self-indulgence for its own sake, costly hobbies, entertainment, recreation and vacations, etc and I am neglecting what I should legitimately be contributing to the Church and works of the apostolate, to those most in need, just wages to employees or service providers, I may not be rightly stewarding what God has entrusted me with.

  18. robtbrown says:

    Elizabeth D

    I agree completely. That is why I said above:

    There is also a personal obligation to contribute to the common good.

  19. Supertradmum says:

    Every papal document on the rights of laborers have stated that an economy which rewards people for work and in which people may have things from that financial stability is a good. We have, in the Catholic Church, a long history of the rights of personal possessions, including property. Does that mean totally unbridled capitalism? No. But, every single pope back to 1848 has condemned socialism. This is the true stand of our Church and Catholics who want socialism are not only ignorant of the Church’s teaching on the dangers of such, but also do not understand the evils of such.

    I suggest a long look at the Teaching Magisterium.

    As to teaching on the family and marriage, nothing is going to change. This pope, like all others, will not contradict Christ. The Holy Spirit will protect the Church until Christ returns. This is a promise to us all.

    As to the Pope coming here, maybe. I think we shall see financial meltdown before that which will interfere with business as usual.

  20. Reconverted Idiot says:

    The thing which I dread is the sea of cell-phone cameras. I can’t watch services from the Vatican for the sight of all those devices turning what should be spiritual event into touristic consumerism a la society of the spectacle. Turn them off!

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