Pope Francis celebrates mass with 4 homeless men on his 77th birthday

Vatican News Agency ^ | December 17, 2013

[Tax-chick]

Happy birthday, Pope Francis!

[NYer]

Your initial question is a valid one but is based on the premise that no such offer was made. It may seem odd but there are homeless people who choose to live this way. While working in Manhattan, I used to see various homeless individuals, some pushing grocery carts piled high with their personal belongings. Following the death of one of them, a news story noted that among the woman's belongings, the police found a bank book. The woman had $40,000 in her account.

I'm sure the pontiff, through his almoner who visits the homeless on a regular basis, has offered shelter to those who are willing to accept it. In fact, he is known to personally visit the downtrodden at night.

Pope Francis Reportedly Leaving Vatican at Night to Minister to Homeless of Rome Anonymously

[murron]

I would like to think that he did. I’ve become a cynic in recent years. I see so many people who on the surface looks like they are doing good for people, but then realize that there are cameras broadcasting their good deeds, and then I realize that they were phony gestures just to make themselves good. I’m not saying that that is the case with the Pope. I do believe the Pope is sincere in his good works. I hope he did offer them shelter and that they refused.