Pope Francis in America-The Right Pope For This Time in History

Watching TV this morning and absorbing the magnificent images of Pope Francis being welcomed to the White House by President Obama and Michelle and thousands of others, with all the pomp and circumstance, was awe-inspiring. President Obama began by stating, "What a beautiful day the Lord has made." Yes it is a beautiful day, a fitting quote by the President and a morning filled with abundant hope and God's glory shining through. The welcome that the U.S.A. has given to Pope Francis with President Obama and his family, the Vice President, his wife, as well as schoolchildren and others welcoming him to America as his plane landed at Joint Base Andrews was a reminder of how well liked and admired Pope Francis is, not only in America, but in the world. It's all good.
Pope Francis spoke in English when he addressed the American people for the first time at the White House, on a glorious sunny day in the Northeast. That was helpful that he spoke in English and he spoke about important issues that matter.
Once again, I applaud this Pope/Pastor for tackling a controversial issue, that of climate change. The science backs his claims that we need to protect the Earth better, to do more, to reduce waste and reduce pollution. Care for the Earth is a part of Catholic social teaching, it is not new, but this Pope has written an encyclical and spoken forcefully about world powers addressing this issue, sooner than later.
So this is a great day in America and the next few days will be inspiring as we see positive, hopeful images, flashed across TV screens and newspapers, of a Pope who is a good, humble pastor, who is respected and loved by most.
As I continue to watch TV, the love, good will and admiration for Pope Francis that is pouring freely in Washington, D.C., along the parade route as well as in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is incredible to watch. With joy, I continue to watch the Outdoor Canonization Mass.......What a blessed day!  God Bless him and God Bless the great country of America!
NJA

This quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church as it relates to Pope Francis on this special day in America....
"All creatures bear a certain resemblance to God, most especially man, created in the image and likeness of God. The manifold perfections of creatures-their truth, their goodness, their beauty-all reflect the infinite perfection of God"  (CCC 40-41)

Should I Go To Central Park to See Pope Francis? (Well, I Didn't!)

I haven't written a blog entry in awhile. Not sure why, perhaps it was writer's block. But anyhow, here I am facing a religious dilemna. My son was thoughtful enough to get me an unusal birthday present. He entered a lottery and won us both a ticket to view Pope Francis' motorcade through Central Park on September 25th. He was so excited to tell me that he had won and that we would be going. And I was excited too, at first, until I thought about it. I've been very blessed in that I was able to see Pope John Paul II on his two trips to New York City. I attended the Mass at Shea Stadium in October 1979 and the Mass at Aqueduct Raceway in Queens in 1995.  Then I saw Pope Benedict at the Farewell Ceremony at John F. Kennedy Airport in 2008. They were all remarkable experiences, that filled me with joy.  But I had a seat at each of those events and though you had to wait a long time and be seated well in advance it was well worth it, of course.
But I'm older now and the thought of being in Central Park among thousands of people unnerves me a bit. I'm not sure what I will do. I would love to see Pope Francis in person, love to be there to receive his blessing, which I'm sure he will do as his motorcade drives by but.......
I will be watching television, for other Papal events, which provides the greatest viewing, but I will have to pray about going to Central Park.
I entered another lottery for tickets for Madison Square Garden to attend a Mass with Pope Francis, which I would love to go to, but there have been so many entries, I'm not sure I would be lucky enough to win.
So right now my only option if I want to see Pope Francis in person, in New York,  is Central Park and I'm not sure what to do. I guess I should pray about it.
What a blessing to have Pope Francis in New York! What a blessing he is to the Church!
NJA

*UPDATE: I didn't go to see the Pope in Central Park, but my son did and he said I missed a lot. (Though he admitted it was chaotic at times, on the line to get in and it probably wasn't for me.) Not only did I miss seeing Pope Francis but I also missed the beautiful rainbow that suddenly appeared within a cloud, right before the Pope began the motorcade through the park. Clearly, God is with Pope Francis! Pope Francis' trip to the United States was a great success and renewed the faith of many. Alleluia!!