Pope Francis speaks in Washington this week, not just to Catholics but to all Americans, as a universal messenger in the fight against poverty and suffering. His visit coincides with the soul-searching Jewish Day of Atonement and the Muslim Feast of the Sacrifice, a day consecrated with one-third of the sacrifice being shared with the poor. The Pope speaks from the heart, and his message of authenticity and service resonates throughout our country. In fact, millions of Americans will come out to hear Pope Francis and to share in his call for a more just world – especially towards the poor and vulnerable. Millions more watching at home will be reminded that we thirst for meaning and purpose in our lives and that serving those less fortunate can help each of us be fulfilled.
I was honored last year to participate, as then-administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (our country’s agency tasked with fighting poverty and suffering abroad), in the first-ever Vatican conference on social investment hosted by Pope Francis. This extraordinary event brought together NGOs such as the Catholic Relief Services with investors that included Goldman Sachs to determine whether investors could better serve the needs of the poor while also delivering strong financial returns.