After attending many papal visits to many different cities, Ray Flynn writes in the
Boston Herald that Pope Francis' current visit to the United States, particularly New York, brought hope, joy, and pride to people last night as he conducted Vespers prayer service in the St. Patrick's Cathedral.
"Before the pope walked up the main altar stairs, he blessed a handicapped girl in a wheelchair," Flynn wrote in his column. "I thought to myself, now this is what the Catholic faith is all about. Bringing hope and joy to people, particularly the poor, vulnerable and the voiceless."
Flynn said he could see the handicapped girl start to cry as the pope walked away and that moment "depicted America at its best."
"That moving picture was the face of America and what the Catholic Church is all about," he said. "The well-known and powerful showing their love and respect for the needy and weak."
Continuing to show his love and respect for the needy and weak, Flynn said the pope also praised the work of nuns in his homily.
"[The pope] made all of us admire and appreciate the sacrifices and commitment of religious women, especially in the education of our children," Flynn said.
"Many of these children [are] coming from poor and impoverished neighborhoods and most lay Catholics would call these courageous religious women the heart of God's family and Church."
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