Pope Francis stepped away from the pomp and pageantry of Capitol Hill to be with the poor and homeless on Thursday.
Passing on the opportunity to dine with politicians after addressing Congress this morning, Francis instead said a prayer blessing a meal for homeless clients of St. Maria's Meals, a food program run by Catholic Charities in Washington, D.C.
Just before the meal, Francis drew a powerful comparison between the plight of the homeless and the Christmas story about Jesus’ birth in a stable.
“The son of God knew what it was to be a homeless person,” Francis said, during a speech at nearby St. Patrick's Catholic Church. “What it was to start life without a roof over his head.”
“I want to be very clear. We can’t find any social or moral justification, no justification whatsoever for lack of housing,” he continued. “We know that Jesus wanted to show solidarity with every person. He wanted everyone to experience his companionship, his help and his love. He identified with all those who suffer, who weep, who suffer any kind of injustice. He tells us this clearly, ‘I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’"
The St. Maria’s Meals program is a familiar sight on G street in D.C. Every Wednesday, volunteers set up tents on the sidewalk outside the Catholic Charities building and dish out hot meals to about 300 people in need.
For this week's meal, organizers shut down an entire city block to accommodate the crowd. Chefs were slated to prepare chicken and pasta dishes, along with homemade desserts. Monsignor John Enzler, CEO of Catholic Charities in D.C. told WBAL-TV they were aiming for dishes that are "easy to serve, but very healthy, very nutritious.”
The symbolic move was evidence of Francis' desire to reach out to the margins and care for the poor. Under his watch, the Vatican opened new shower facilities in St. Peter's Square where people can get free haircuts and a shave. The Vatican is also building a homeless shelter in Rome that can serve 30 people at a time.
In March, the pope's alsmgiver, who is in charge of doing charitable works on the pope's behalf, invited a group of homeless people for a private tour of the Sistine Chapel and a dinner at the Vatican museums. Pope Francis stopped by to pay the group a surprise visit, greeting each homeless man and woman individually.
The visit to Catholic Charities and to St. Patrick's Catholic Church was the last stop on Francis' itinerary in Washington, D.C. At 4 p.m., he will board a plane at Joint Base Andrews and fly to New York City, where he will address the United Nations General Assembly, participate in an interfaith service at the 9/11 memorial, visit with Catholic school students and immigrants in East Harlem, and lead Mass at Madison Square Garden.
"Miremos a Jesús que nos lava los pies. Él es el camino…" #PapaFrancisco #PopeInPhilly pic.twitter.com/nmromDrGsY
— Antonio Spadaro SJ (@antoniospadaro) September 27, 2015
Did you see this? Emotional embrace between #PopeInPhilly and prisoner https://t.co/niTiRpwxkX
— Ryan M. Thomas ن (@RyanM_Thomas) September 27, 2015
Security out in full force in Philly. They've called in Border Patrol, for example. #PopeInPhilly pic.twitter.com/zhccQpREMJ
— Jaweed Kaleem (@jaweedkaleem) September 26, 2015
Crowds are out on the Ben Franklin parkway for the pope's parade. Getting a preview of his view. #PopeInPhilly pic.twitter.com/5wZ7G11G6b
— Jaweed Kaleem (@jaweedkaleem) September 26, 2015
pop(e) art pic.twitter.com/o1FsEGZF5x
— Jaweed Kaleem (@jaweedkaleem) September 26, 2015
1/2: Cardinal Dolan says Pope Francis asked to circle the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as he departed NYC in helicopter. #PopeInUS
— Melanie Grayce West (@MelanieGWest) September 26, 2015
2/2: Cardinal Dolan said Pope Francis was "very moved" at the sight of Statue of Liberty at daybreak. #PopeInNYC
— Melanie Grayce West (@MelanieGWest) September 26, 2015
He's here. #PopeinNYC #popeinmsg pic.twitter.com/3xW3OBH796
— Friends of Nativity (@NativityNYC) September 25, 2015
Smooth Henry Connick, Jr sings one of my praise jams ☺ "How Great Thou Art" #PopeinNYC #MSGMass pic.twitter.com/ANX4KwgTPJ
— Nicola_A_Menzie (@namenzie) September 25, 2015
#PopeFrancis' message to Catholic school students and immigrants in East Harlem. pic.twitter.com/s2oUeUvn5T
— HuffPost Religion (@HuffPostRelig) September 25, 2015
Pretty exciting day! Lots of crowds to see #PopeFrancis #PopeinNYC @Pontifex pic.twitter.com/oIrv3mDAKY
— Jeff Herzfeld (@jeffherzfeld) September 25, 2015
Ascension students and all of the Manhattan schools meet the Holy Father. We love you Holy Father! pic.twitter.com/Sq0nGk89ZS
— Ascension School (@Ascension_NYC) September 25, 2015
This picture of @Pontifex makes me think of the title of his encyclical: The JOY of the Gospel. #PopeinNYC pic.twitter.com/2JmEZuq5Vx
— Fr Matthew Schneider (@FrMatthewLC) September 25, 2015
@SocialinPhilly Annie cat in Fishtown is ready for #PopeInUSA pic.twitter.com/sAsEIPDk8d
— Patrice Bendig (@Patrice_Bendig) September 25, 2015
This shouldn't take too long. #PopeinNYC pic.twitter.com/oIJeQuXKZv
— Grant Gallicho (@gallicho) September 25, 2015
Serious crowds outside Madison Sq Garden, where pope celebrates Mass tonight, & serious security inside Penn Station pic.twitter.com/vKhw8srj1H
— Jaweed Kaleem (@jaweedkaleem) September 25, 2015
Two planes create a cross directly over the United Nations after @Pontifex's speech concludes. #PopeInNYC pic.twitter.com/YqwjabIypC
— Catherine Szeltner (@CatSzeltner) September 25, 2015
Thousands await Pope Francis to celebrate Mass and the canonization of Junipero Serra pic.twitter.com/yTYwdogkw9
— Jaweed Kaleem (@jaweedkaleem) September 23, 2015