Transcript: Pope Francis’s homily at his final Mass of his historic trip to the United States

[Starboard Tack]

99. Where did I make excuses for anyone?

Not my style. Francis can answer to his critics. He's a big boy. No, I do NOT mix the poison in my drinks. I keep issues separate. You might try it, instead of constantly muddying the waters with your obsessive rants about what a "horrible bigot" he is. You still, after all this time don't understand the meaning of the word.

You have a vividly assumptive imagination if you think I am a 1-percenter living in my "Italian villa". Remember that when you look up "bigotry". I know, you sit there dreaming of yachts and villas, but my reality is very different. I am not on vacation. I live here, in a very humble stone cottage that needs much work. My labor helps pay the rent. There are a lot of real vermin around here that I'm having to deal with, but that's the price one pays for living in the coutryside.
Regarding the immigrants and homeless, I make contact with them daily. I talk to them, give them what little money I can afford to help feed them. I listen to their stories and my heart goes out to them. I translated a few documents for NGO's working with the homeless. I don't consider any of these things a sacrifice.

Additionally, I talk to friends and acquaintances, all liberals, regularly about the migrant situation, the Pope and other pressing topics. The vast majority of my friends are lapsed catholics or atheists. I know only 2 people who ever attend mass. Yet, without exception, they all support Francis, in spite of his intransigence on LGBT issues. Everyone hopes that he will move in the right direction there, but no-one is holding their breath. The other issues are so much bigger, right now. We can sweep the floor later, when we've made sure the roof doesn't cave in. Even very important issues can seem petty in times like these.

If you care about the migrant/refugee crisis and would like to help out, let me know and I'll introduce you to the right people, no priests or bible thumpers, just good folk who care about the less fortunate.