text: AnonAJ - you know, I have vivid memories of watching both my mother and my father showing such love of those less fortunate, be they mentally retarded or homeless or those in great poverty.  My mother, with several other LADIES (always women, it seemed) of the parish go to the homes of those with disabled children/relatives and talking with them about coming to a parish program designed just for those individuals.  I saw how my parents touched and talked with and sat with all of those afflicted persons, sometimes with their heads on my parents' shoulders or in their laps, and tell them how much God loved them and offer a treat, or sing a song.  This is why when I see Pope Francis hold the face of deformed and disabled people, and kiss their heads and bless them, it fills me with a pride (of being Catholic) and shows me the side of the Church that I love, the side that really matters.  You give me the same feeling.  This is exactly what so many can do, leaving the culture wars aside.