Pope Francis may be the most political pope in recent history. Since his selection in 2013, the pope has inspired, and worried, conservatives and liberals.
His condemnation of capitalism has enraged many business people the world over, particularly considering that the growth of free market economies across much of the world has allowed more than a billion people to rise out of extreme poverty in the past two decades.
Yet his continuation of Roman Catholic Church doctrine regarding abortion, birth control and same-sex marriage bothers liberals who desire the Catholic church to change its beliefs on those positions.
But the pope didn't come to America to divide. He came to unite people in the Christian principles of love, charity, forgiveness and compassion. And he met his objectives.
"Each son or daughter of a given country has a mission, a personal and social responsibility," the pope told a joint gathering of the U.S. House and Senate. "Your own responsibility as members of Congress is to enable this country, by your legislative activity, to grow as a nation. ...
"A political society endures when it seeks, as a vocation, to satisfy common needs by stimulating the growth of all its members, especially those in situations of greater vulnerability or risk. Legislative activity is always based on care for the people. To this you have been invited, called and convened by those who elected you."
In addressing all Americans, the pope said: "I ... take this opportunity to dialogue with the many thousands of men and women who strive each day to do an honest day's work, to bring home their daily bread, to save money and - one step at a time - to build a better life for their families.
"These are men and women who are not concerned simply with paying their taxes, but in their own quiet way sustain the life of society. They generate solidarity by their actions, and they create organizations which offer a helping hand to those most in need. ...
"Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated. ... Let us help others to grow, as we would like to be helped ourselves. In a word, if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities. The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us.
"The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development."
Take his political messages as you wish, but spiritually, the pope's messages of humility, forgiveness, love and acceptance are well worth heeding.