Both parties get strong words from pope

Whew, that's a relief. I thought he'd never leave.

Pope Francis spent last week wowing the nation with his understated calls for peace and kindness and love for our fellow man. He even addressed Congress and reminded we the People that, "Each son or daughter of a given country has a mission, a personal and social responsibility."

I'm pretty sure he meant you.

The Pope buttered up both houses by actually likening the antics of members with the work of Moses. Obviously, Francis doesn't watch C-Span much.

"Moses," he said, "provides us with a good synthesis of your work: you are asked to protect, by means of the law, the image and likeness fashioned by God on every human face."

But, as it often turns out, especially the faces of their biggest contributors. Meanwhile, Francis focused on other great American contributors: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Thomas Merton and Dorothy Day.

Francis surely irritated the warmongers and cowards of conscience seated before him when he moved to the subject of violent conflict and religious fundamentalism and offered: "But there is another temptation which we must especially guard against: the simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil; or, if you will, the righteous and the sinners. ... We know that in an attempt to be freed from the enemy without, we can be tempted to feed the enemy within. To imitate the hatred and violence of tyrants and murderers is the best way to take their place. That is something which you, as a people, reject."

Do we really?

Then he moved to immigration.

"On this continent, too, thousands of persons are led to travel north in search of a better life for themselves and their loved ones, in search of greater opportunities," he said. "Is this not what we want for our own children? ... We need to avoid the common temptation nowadays: to discard whatever proves troublesome. Let us remember the Golden Rule: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' "

Democrats surely cringed when he added, "The Golden rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development."

Just when Republicans were beginning to warm up to Francis, he said, "This conviction has led me, from the beginning of my ministry, to advocate at different levels for the global abolition of the death penalty."

Turns out he's pro-life for the unborn and the born.

Then he turned his attention to poverty in America and worldwide, in part offering, "... I encourage you to keep in mind all those people around us who are trapped in a cycle of poverty. They too need to be given hope. The fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts, especially in its causes."

Democrats cheered.

As their applause subsided, they heard Francis lauding the role of humane capitalism, "Business is a noble vocation, directed to producing wealth and improving the world. It can be a fruitful source of prosperity for the area in which it operates, especially if it sees the creation of jobs as an essential part of its service to the common good."

And then he went and spoiled the Republican reverie with, "I call for a courageous and responsible effort to 'redirect our steps' and to avert the most serious effects of the environmental deterioration caused by human activity."

He's the dreaded responsible business-loving, climate change-fighting Pope.

And on he went.

"The challenges facing us today call for a renewal of that spirit of cooperation, which has accomplished so much good throughout the history of the United States," he said. "The complexity, the gravity and the urgency of these challenges demand that we pool our resources and talents, and resolve to support one another, with respect for our differences and our convictions of conscience."

Trouble is, many in Congress reject compromise and consensus. For them, the Golden Rule is for rubes. At home, many citizens demand instant answers to complex questions and participate in their government and community as long as there's a drive-through window.

His voice echoed, "Each son or daughter of a given country has a mission, a personal and social responsibility."

Yes, it was probably best that Pope Francis spoke his peace and then returned home.

Who does he think we are: people capable of change?

John L. Smith's column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Contact him at 702 383-0295, or jsmith@reviewjournal.com. Follow him: @jlnevadasmith