Yesterday, 5-year-old Sophie Cruz experienced a memorable day. As the daughter of undocumented immigrants, she courageously bypassed security to reach Pope Francis as he passed by. In a heartwarming moment, she handed him a handwritten letter expressing her wish for immigration reform and received a hug from the Pope.
This touching interaction quickly garnered international attention, setting a hopeful tone for the Pope's subsequent agenda, which many anticipated would be more formal and less personal: delivering a historic address to Congress.
Pope Francis touched on various topics in his morning speech, including climate change, poverty, the death penalty, and immigration. For those paying close attention, several of his remarks resonated with the sentiments in Sophie's letter.
Here are five comparisons between Sophie's letter and the Pope's speech that highlight a connection between her message and his address:
Sophie: “I want to tell you my heart is sad.”
Pope Francis: “I also want to engage with young people who face challenging circumstances, often due to the actions of adults.”
The Pope began his speech by emphasizing the importance of considering young people, not just in general terms, but acknowledging the difficulties they endure because of adult decisions. This reflects Sophie's feelings of sadness.
Sophie: “I deserve to be happy.”
Pope Francis: “Everyone has the right to life, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness.”
By quoting the Declaration of Independence, the Pope reinforced the idea of inherent rights, including the pursuit of happiness—a principle Sophie is also passionate about. This quote served as a reminder to Congress of the fundamental rights everyone should have.
Sophie: “All immigrants, like my dad, help feed this country.”
Pope Francis: “I wish to engage with those who work hard each day to support their families and contribute to society, not just by paying taxes but through their quiet, essential roles in sustaining our community.”
Although the Pope's statement was broader, it acknowledged the crucial role of hardworking individuals, including immigrants, in supporting society—a point Sophie clearly understands and values.
Sophie: “Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect.”
Pope Francis: “It’s essential to protect and uphold the dignity of all people in politics.”
Both Sophie and the Pope emphasized the importance of human dignity. The Pope extended this idea by stressing that safeguarding dignity should be a central focus of political efforts.
Sophie: “My friends and I love each other regardless of skin color.”
Pope Francis: “We must move forward together, united in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, working cooperatively for the common good.”
The Pope's call for unity and solidarity echoes Sophie's belief in embracing each other regardless of differences. While Sophie explicitly mentioned race, the Pope’s message advocated inclusiveness and cooperation.
Both Sophie's heartfelt letter and the Pope's speech are compelling, and it's evident that Sophie's words resonated deeply with him. While the 5-year-old may not have directly influenced the Pope's address, her message undoubtedly reached him, as his speech reflected many of the values she expressed.