Yes, that's my little Flat Francis in the background. (I also got a matching shirt for my sister.)
It was somewhat difficult to keep up with the events in real time, so these websites were (and remain) my go-to's for playing catch up:
*America Magazine's coverage
*USCCB's coverage, including videos from all the live streaming events
*Pope Francis's visit 2015 coverage (this is the site I got the shirt from)
There was quite a bit of excitement (or, at least, talk) surrounding the Pope's visit at school, with my family, and with many friends. But, on the flipside, I think that since Pope Francis is very much centered on reaching out to those on the margins and making a place for everyone, regardless of circumstance or past history, in the church, that some people were turned off by his visit and became closed off to his messages surrounding immigrants, the death penalty, the homeless, etc.
And this makes me sad because Jesus himself dined with sinners and chose to spend his time with those on the outskirts of society. In the video (from the USCCB website) I watched from Pope Francis at the prison in Pennsylvania, he reminded everyone how we are all sinners in need of God's mercy - we must first find the log in our own eyes.
Pope Francis came to shake us up - it should make us uncomfortable because chances are many of us may be doing something, but there are things we can do more and better. (Trust me on this one - I'm right there with you.)
Thank you, Pope Francis, for your example, your wisdom, and your courage!
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