LORD, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?

Papal ‘Wish List’ Not Surprising

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"Holy Father, what would you like to see when you visit us in New York City?”

That’s the question I posed to Pope Francis last October when he gave me the unofficial thumbs-up that he would indeed be coming to see us.

Why was I not surprised by his reply?

“I want to pray at St. Patrick’s Cathedral with clergy, religious women and men, and our lay faithful.”

Of course he does! St. Patrick’s Cathedral, claimed his predecessor, Pope-emeritus Benedict, is one of the most famous churches in the world. We call it “America’s parish church.” And it’s even more dazzling and welcoming now given its repair and restoration. What a thrill it will be to usher the Holy Father through those famous bronze doors on Fifth Avenue, his first stop on Thursday evening.

“Could I pray as well with a large group of representative leaders of every religion in New York, if possible, at the 9/11 Memorial?”

You sure can, Papa Francisco! Of course you’ve heard of our heritage of religious freedom and friendship among members of different creeds here in the United States, a diversity and amity especially dramatic here in New York. To pray with respect for all religions at the shrine where fanatics who perverted religion struck our nation, would be especially fitting.

So, there he’ll go Friday late morning, after the United Nations.

“I’ve heard so much about your renowned Catholic schools, especially how they help poor children in the inner city. Could I go to one?”

I was hoping you’d ask, Holy Father, and not surprised at all that you’ve heard of our schools, the envy of parents and students all over the world. Nor am I startled that your deep love for the poor and for kids would prompt you to want to visit one of our inner-city schools, kept strong by our legendary benefactors.

So, he’ll stop by Our Lady Queen of Angels School in Harlem on Friday afternoon.

“Do you think I could chat with your immigrants, and see for myself how you welcome them and make them feel at home?”

I thought you’d ask, Your Holiness, so I’ll be overjoyed to introduce you to a group of our immigrants, served so well by Catholic Charities. You’ll fly over the Statue of Liberty on your way in, and then you’ll see for yourself how the assurances she gave are still being kept.

That’s another stop we’ll make on Friday afternoon...

“And, of course, I want to celebrate Mass with representatives from all your parishes I hear so much about.”

And we want you to do so, Papa Francisco, so come to Madison Square Garden, and unite with 24,000 of your people for the greatest prayer of all, the highlight of your visit, your last stop Friday night: the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

If I could have listed five “dreams” of places I wanted him to visit, I could have done no better.

He may be the “Pope of surprises,” but his “wish list” was hardly surprising at all!