Even after attaining the exalted position as a prince of the Church, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio never
followed his fellow cardinals on their frequent visits to the United States. The Argentine Jesuit was
always too busy tending to the least of his brothers. The poor of whom Mother Teresa said “Each one of
them is Jesus in disguise.” Now holding the Chair of St. Peter, Pope Francis will make his first trip to the
US later this month visiting Washington, New York and Philadelphia. The occasion is the triennial World
Meeting of Families in the City of Brotherly Love but after breakfast with the Obamas, Francis will
address a joint session of Congress, as well as the United Nations General Assembly, and canonize a new
Saint. Interspersed among his official business, the pope will attempt to reach as many Americans as
possible with his message to live simply and love one another.
This pope is unlike any we have seen before, eschewing the pomp and circumstance traditionally
afforded a leader of so many people. He chose humble living quarters over the Apostolic Palace
adorned with Raphael’s frescoes and a modest car over the papal limousine. Francis had to accede to
his security detail’s request to stop taking mass transit around Rome in the early days of his papacy. The
night he was elected he greeted the cheering crowd in St. Peter’s Square with his message of love not
from the papal throne but standing on his feet. He has shown a preference to use a Chair of St. Peter
more like the original and less like Bernini’s masterpiece behind the alter in St. Peter’s Basilica adorned
by a stained glass sunburst highlighting a dove in flight and golden angels held above the Doctors of the
Church. Used by popes centuries ago, Bernini’s chair may be built over the actual chair used by St.
Peter, the original fisher of men, in that first pope’s ministry. Bernini’s Baroque extravagances do not fit
Francis’ style as he fishes to save the souls of his brothers and sisters.
The chair he will use to greet New Yorkers was built by three day laborers in Port Chester hailing from
Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua chosen because of Francis' concern for the poor and
marginalized and his desire for justice in the world. Unveiling the chair this week, New York’s Cardinal
Dolan said "A chair represents unity and a chair represents teaching authority," adding that the pope
wanted a simple wooden chair without any designs. You will not be able to see the chair unless you
have a ticket to the Madison Square Garden mass, but throngs of New Yorkers will undoubtedly turn out
wherever Francis travels hoping to catch a glimpse of the world’s newest superstar. Security will be
tighter than ever but if you want to join the party you can find the pope’s itinerary at this link. Welcome
to New York Pope Francis, we hope you like it enough to come back. BY: Dan Hickey
http://www.popefrancisvisit.com/official-final-schedule-of-pope-francis…