Los Angeles, Calif., Feb 19, 2016 / 16:20 pm
The controversy surrounding Pope Francis' off-the-cuff statements on his return flight from Mexico – and Donald Trump's response – should not overshadow the underlying reason for the papal visit, said Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles.
The archbishop said that Pope Francis' Feb. 12-17 Mexico visit was "a very emotional week" that tried "to bring a word of hope and mercy to some of the poorest and most oppressed people in this hemisphere."
"That's what the Pope was saying – that immigration is about people, not economics or politics. It's about children and families who are suffering," he said.
"The Pope was obviously deeply moved by the human tragedy of millions of people suffering from the corruption of leaders, criminal gangs, human trafficking, violence and poverty, economic injustice," he said Feb. 19. "That's what the Pope is thinking about – not our election debates or candidates."