Pope Francis goes to prison: “All of us need to be cleansed.”

Pope Francis goes to prison: “All of us need to be cleansed.” Amy Sullivan September 27, 2015 PHILADELPHIA — Has there been another world leader who needed so few words to make his point? It is possible to have followed Pope Francis’ six-day visit to the United States without hearing a word he has spoken by simply watching his face. In the halls of Congress, on the lawn of the White House, before Manhattan’s rich and famous, this pope was polite but restrained — if not quite checking his watch, he was clearly putting in his time. But at lunch with those living on the streets of Washington, D.C., or joking with the children of immigrants in Harlem, his whole body lit up, animated and engaged. So it was again this morning at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility on the outskirts of Philadelphia, where the pontiff spoke and met with roughly 75 inmates and their families. Slowly, he moved around the room, stopping to clasp hands and look into each face, murmuring a blessing to those who requested one and wrapping his arms around those who rose for an embrace. The specially selected inmates also received a rosary blessed by the pope, a treasure that left some practically giddy. “I’m never taking this off!” exclaimed Ruth Colon afterward of the rosary around her neck. The 35-year-old is serving a year sentence for a parole violation and, like many, was a bit stunned by the papal visit. “I never expected to ever meet the pope!” said Colon. “Of course,” she continued, looking around, “I never expected to be here.”