By John L. Allen Jr. of The Boston Globe
ROME – Political categories are an inexact fit for religious realities, but if we’re going to use them anyway, it’s tough to spot a bigger winner in Catholicism under Pope Francis than the Community of Sant’Egidio, whose commitment to the poor, to inter-religious dialogue, and to peace seems an ideal fit.
Pope Francis visited the Rome headquarters of the renowned lay movement Sunday, greeted by some 10,000 people. The crowd that braved a stormy Roman evening included scores of immigrants, poor, homeless, gypsies, disabled persons and working-class families.
“You’ve learned to look to others, especially the poor,” Francis told members of Sant’Egidio Sunday night. – – – full article here: