September 17, 2015

Photo by Republic of Korea. (CC BY-SA 2.0)

“Many things have to change, of course, but it is we human beings above all who need to change.”

The above words by Pope Francis, while profound in meaning, mimic traditions of ancient religions and philosophies. Gandhi himself said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” The Quran states, “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” With the Pope’s first ever visit to the US next week, an opportunity to be inspired to change ourselves is at hand.

Pope Francis has elaborated that many of the world’s problems of today- climate change, poverty, war- originate within individuals. He has shown by example, that change within one’s self and nation can be a positive force for progress. The Pope has been an advocate for peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Far from just wishing for change, he took it upon himself to lead the Vatican itself to recognize Palestine as a state. The Pope has also been on the forefront of pleading for the protection of refugees. The Pope’s call for churches in Europe to host refugee families shows this pontiff’s benevolent focus on the most vulnerable in society.

MPAC will be present when Pope Francis gives his remarks at the White House next week. During his conversations with President Obama, Congress, and his address to the public, MPAC hopes to hear His Holiness bring attention to some of the more pressing issues affecting our nation and our world.

We hope the Pope will encourage the President to increase the numbers of refugees that the US is receiving from 10,000 to 100,000. In addition, we hope he encourages Americans to be welcoming to these victims, who have experienced death and destruction in their homeland. We as a nation must have open hearts and open hands if we seek to alleviate suffering.

The pontiff has shown his deft political skills with successes in the international area, including the thawing of relations with Cuba and the US. The Pope should continue this success by asking for a firmer approach in other places in the world that are suffering- such as the persecuted Rohingya in Burma. While the U.S. continues to give the Burmese government a pass on its human rights abuses in the name of fostering democracy, laws against Muslims are being passed in Burma with no protest. 

We urge American Muslims to join hands with their Catholic brothers and sisters in bringing about change within our nation so that the world follows. We look forward to the Pope’s visit to inspire not only the American public, but elected officials as well, to prioritize issues that will set America up to be on the right side of history as we face growing international crises.