These past days as the first and only American Pope has spoken forcefully for peace not war; for truth not lies; for hope not suffering

I have found myself warming to the Church in a way I have not for decades. For some time I have been roaming in what I call the Catholic diaspora. Sometimes it is a choice to side-step the rules that feel untenable at the time. Choices are made, and before long there is a sense of no turning back. Then a voice speaks:

Hearing Pope Leo exercise his moral authority over the current aberration playing out before the world gives me heart. A Vatican correspondent who has covered wars around the world said: "The first victim of war is the truth". There is no better summation of the past weeks where truth itself has been victimized to the point of obliteration. All is skewed when the words spoken by the opposing regime begin to make more sense than those of the current U.S. regime. "All people want peace", said Pope Leo. Who can argue with that?

"I would invite the citizens of all the countries involved to contact the authorities - political leaders, congressmen - to ask them, to tell them, to work for peace and to reject war and violence", said Pope Leo to the one and half billion Catholics whom he leads. This is what leadership looks like!

Pope Leo

The United States Capitol switchboard is available 24/7 and connects you directly with the office of your senators and congresspersons. (202) 224-3121. And, while we are at it, why not pray for peace.