Originally published September 24 2015
Pope Francis chides Americans for wanting border security while Vatican City keeps people out with massive walls
by J. D. Heyes
(NaturalNews) Without question, Pope Francis' much-anticipated and historic visit to the United States recently did not live up to everyone's expectations – for those who are and are not Catholic [full disclosure: I am Catholic].
Count me as one who was disappointed.
There were so many issues that the pontiff could have – and should have – addressed, and done so specifically. But instead he sounded, at times, like more of a shill for Left-wing political causes as well as an overall critic of the one nation, America, that protects billions of people (many of them Catholics) around the world.
While the pope did make offhanded references to the "sanctity of life at every stage" – a jab at abortion proponents in light of the horrific scandal surrounding Planned Parenthood's selling of fetal body parts for profit – and traditional marriage, his comments about America's immigration policies stung the most.
"Thousands of persons are led to travel north in search of a better life for themselves and for their loved ones in search of greater opportunities" in North America, the pontiff said during his speech, which was in English – a language he only recently learned. "Is this not what we want for our own children?"
Oh, so we're not "compassionate" enough
In comments that many felt were directed at the current Syrian immigrant crisis in Europe, he added, "We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation. To respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal."
To Pope Francis, it isn't enough that the United States already resettles more immigrants than just about any other country in the world, many of which don't allow any immigrants to resettle there.
To the pontiff, it isn't enough that the Obama Administration – against the will of the American people, Congress and the rule of law – has made it easier for immigrants in our country illegally to stay here, work and take advantage of government benefits.
To him, it's not enough that, according to statistics assembled by U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Alabama, the United States hosts a combined 45 million-plus immigrants, while all of South America (21 nations) host less than 8 million.
No. None of that matters. It is we who must do more.
"We need to avoid a common temptation nowadays: to discard whatever proves troublesome," he told Congress. "We, the people of this continent, are not fearful of foreigners, because most of us once were foreigners."
"What is the right number?"
That's simply no longer true and has not been true for generations. Yes, the American continent was populated by men and women from other lands, but since the first baby was born in the new American nation, we have been Americans and have developed our own unique traditions, culture and society.
That said, it is entirely appropriate to compare and contrast the pontiff's admonition of American immigration policy with that of the papal state over which he resides: Vatican City.
As reported by The Washington Times, if any place on Earth has strict, stringent immigration policies and requirements, it is Vatican City. In fact, the paper says, it might be the strictest place on the planet. While Pope Francis would surely oppose plans to build a wall along America's southern border, Vatican City itself keeps out unwanted migrants with it's own impenetrable border wall.
The Times noted:
The Vatican, for its part, welcomes millions of visitors a year — but allows only a very select few, who meet strict criteria, to be admitted as residents or citizens.
Only about 450 of its 800 or so residents actually hold citizenship, according to a 2012 study by the Library of Congress. That study said citizens are either church cardinals who reside in the Vatican, the Holy See's diplomats around the world, and those who have to reside in the city because of their jobs, such as the Swiss Guard.
In addition, few "citizens" are women.
Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, summed it up correctly by noting the large number of immigrants – 1.7 million, on average (legal and illegal) – that already stream into the country every year.
"What is the right number? If over 2 million is not enough, would someone please tell me what that right number is, and would other countries act accordingly," he said.
That likely isn't what the pontiff wants to hear, but it's what he needs to hear.
Sources:
USAToday.com
WashingtonTimes.com
DailyMail.co.uk
Breitbart.com
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