The crowds have dispersed. The television images of an inspirational Pope connecting with Americans of all backgrounds in huge rallies and more intimate settings have been replaced by coverage of politics, Trump style.
University of St. Thomas theologian Paul Wojda looks back on Pope Francis’s visit to the United States and forward to the work that lies ahead. What will be the lasting impact of the Pope’s visit on the Catholic Church and the American body politic? Will his social-justice teaching create a space for a deeper dialogue on climate change, immigration, and the needs of the poor? Can the hope that Pope Francis inspired be sustained?
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Paul Wojda is an associate professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas