Not addressing this to anyone in particular, but it seems strange to me that many people’s dander is up because a religious leader is preaching the Gospel in the US.
If a person is Catholic, they know the Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of belief. The Pope, a validly ordained priest, has celebrated the sacrament in front of hundreds of thousands. He has demonstrated the beatitudes by feeding the hungry, visiting the imprisoned, and consoling the sorrowful.
For non-Catholics, the Pope has publicly reminded Americans, through Congress, of the dignity of human life. As stated above, he has demonstrated the Gospel message of feeding the hungry and visiting the imprisoned.
At some point, sinful and imperfect people need to measure these actions. Are they promoting the message of God’s love? Are they demonstrating by example what Jesus calls us to do in the Gospel?
For many who say “yes,” this may herald an impetus to be a more faithful believer in Christ. For the non-believer, it may inspire a positive feeling or example. For those who say “no,” perhaps an examination of expectations in appropriate. Are our expectations realistic?
“Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.” Mark 9:41
{Not addressing this to anyone in particular, but it seems strange to me that many people’s dander is up because a religious leader is preaching the Gospel in the US.}
He is not “preaching the Gospel in the US” only. He was in front of Congress, the UN, Gettysburg and all over the media.
Why not give the same consideration to, say, Franklin Graham?
Most who are upset are not upset about this attention to a pope. Popes have visited before without engendering ire despite the unequal treatment they have been accorded. This pope has overreached.
When he visited the US John Paul II gave many sermons, and never gave the type of message that this Pope is giving. It's not about the Gospels. Communism/socialism is/are responsible for 100s of millions of deaths, and too much pain and suffering, yet this Pope decides to chastise a nation that is incredibly generous and much more respectful of religion than most of the socialist Western European countries (with the exception perhaps of Italy). His messages seem to me to be motivated by his own political biases, and resentment, and that is not consistent with the message of the Gospels. Just my humble opinion.