Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Faithful Democrats

Home
Politics and Religion
Pope Francis’ Theology of Common Care

Pope Francis’ Theology of Common Care

Last updated on: September 20, 2015 at 1:56 pm by Guest Contributor

Pope Francis’ Theology of Common Care 2015-09-20T13:56:13-06:00 Guest Contributor

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

As Pope Francis’ trip to the Philippines last January revealed, where Francis goes people pay close attention. Americans should expect no less enthusiasm from his journey here this week to Washington D.C., New York City and Philadelphia.

Though not expressly political, it would be naïve to disregard the obvious ramifications of this trip. Since his ordination in 2013, Pope Francis has been a catalyst on a number of important political matters, throwing his hat in the ring on issues pertaining to income inequality and the persecution of religious minorities. In addition, the environment will undoubtedly feature in Francis’ talking points during his time here, as his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si stressed the “grave implications” of man-made climate change. To be sure, this U.S. tour is noteworthy beyond the fact that Francis will be the first Pope to address a joint session of Congress, and the repercussions of this occasion are likely to be felt throughout American politics .

While the above issues are no doubt of momentous significance, another subject is gaining prominence today, one that simultaneously tugs at our heartstrings and confounds policy experts. I’m speaking of course about the Syrian refugee crisis and the dilemma of how to best support migrants. Far from a new phenomenon, recent events in the media have forced us to take notice of those fleeing civil war, Bashar al-Assad, and ISIS, with citizens throughout the world now asking themselves (and their compatriots) what can and should be done. At present, Americans are deliberating on how to best provide aid to asylum seekers, and with Europe reaching a tipping point, it is clear we must act quickly.

Being who he is, it is difficult to imagine Pope Francis not discussing this crucial problem during his stay on American soil. In many ways, he’s already taken up the issue, most notably in calling on every parish in Europe to host a refugee family, urging his fellow clergy to “express the Gospel in concrete terms.” What’s more, the White House has already confirmed that President Obama and Pope Francis will discuss the refugee situation in their historic meeting at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave on September 23, and just this weekend, reports showed the U.S. will expand its intake to 15,000 families.

Indeed, it is crucial that Francis elevate our awareness of this refugee crisis. While the U.S. has offered their assistance thus far, it is accurate to say our efforts up to this point have not been sufficient. Compared to Germany and several other EU countries, the U.S. has admitted only a fraction of total migrants, and while just a few days ago President Obama committed to granting asylum to thousands of families, it remains evident that there are countless others in need of support. Perhaps more than any other figure alive today, this Holy Father has both the ability and the moral authority to shift this debate, to show us the necessity of providing relief to the truly underprivileged. Heeding what the Pope says would be a tremendous achievement for each and every American, serving as a victory for Catholic and non-Catholic alike.

Frankly, we ought to be more attentive to those who have been displaced from their homes on a mass scale; not just those individuals from Syria, but also those from Darfur, Myanmar, and many other nations. Both politically and morally, Francis has the opportunity to change the way we perceive those who flee their homeland in hopes of a better life.

Regardless of how and when he broaches the subject, we would do well to follow Francis’ example in paying closer attention to the Syrian refugee crisis. Time and again, this pontiff has challenged our understanding of world affairs, encouraging us both individually, as a nation, and a universal person of this planet to reconsider what it is we stand for. In a year set aside to highlight Mercy, this Pope has implored all of us to take an active part in offering compassion to one another. Expect the papal visit later this month to be rife with rhetoric of this kind, as this Pope is nothing if not an advocate of those in need.

Jacob Marthaller is a graduate student in Religious Studies at the University of Virginia and Coordinator of the Religion and Film Project for the Virginia Center for the Study of Religion. His research interests lie primarily at the confluence of politics and theology.

Previous Post

August 27, 2015

Pope Francis and the Republican Presidential Hopefuls: A Widening Divide

Next Post

October 14, 2015 Gun Violence and the Common Good

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Us About Us Action Center Advertise Ask a Theologian Ask a Theologian Blogs Books Campaign Blog Candidate Spotlights Commentary Donate Facebook Featured Writers Fellows Fellows From the Pulpit General Information Hillary Clinton Interfaith Blog Latest Media Center Media Center Media Center MyBlog MyBlog News Newsflash Newsflashes Our Team Reader Blogs RSS Sermon of the Week Shop Social Networking Static Items Support Talking Points Test blogs The Basics Theology Uncategorized YouTube

Select a Month November 2020 October 2020 February 2020 August 2019 July 2018 July 2017 March 2017 February 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 January 2006 August 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" at Jesus' crucifixion?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Judas A Roman centurion Peter Pilate