Farewell to the Pope

Okay, this will be my last post about the Pope. He left this morning which means that "normal" schedules will begin again starting tomorrow. One of the popular news stories that is going around here involves a 12-year old girl's question to the Pope. You can see the video and news article here:

http://www.9news.ph/papalvisit/2015/01/19/why-does-god-allow-children-to-suffer

I think in the one year that I have been here, I can see how women and children are marginalized in this country. Of course, the Philippines is not alone in this. Maybe this can be said of most (or all) second and third world countries. There seems to be something gravely wrong about neglect and injustice especially when it comes to women and children. 

Although I have never heard or read of the Pope's words (Francis or any others), I respect much of what has been quoted in the media during his visit to the Philippines. He has emphasized compassion to the poor and needy. I think in a place where a majority of the country is both Catholic and living on $1 a day, this has been a perfect place for such a message.