UNITED STATES
Christian Catholicism

Jerry Slevin

The leader of the world’s largest economy, President Obama, and the leader of the world’s largest religion, Pope Francis, both strong advocates for the poor, are set for an historic first meeting on March 27 to discuss their shared commitment to fighting poverty and growing inequality. One is a son of a Muslim raised African, born in the USA and educated at an Indonesian Catholic school and at Harvard Law, and the other a son of European Italians, born in Latin America and a Jesuit. They bring diverse and complimentary backgrounds and broad experience.

Both leaders earlier worked closely with “poor sheep” in Catholic parishes–one on Chicago’s South Side; the other in Buenos Aires’ barrios. One’s positions on some economic and military policies and the other’s positions on some sexual morality and gender equality matters have both burdened the poor needlessly, especially many…