Bishop Tobin in Awe As Pope Francis Visit Unfolds in Front of Him, by John Hill and Donita Naylor, Providence Journal, September 23, 2015

Bishop Tobin in Awe As Pope Francis" Visit Unfolds in Front of Him

By John Hill and Donita Naylor
Providence Journal
September 23, 2015

http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150923/NEWS/150929634

In this photo taken Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, Pope Francis delivers his speech to U.S. Catholic Bishops during a midday prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington. (L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP)

In this photo taken Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, Pope Francis delivers his speech to U.S. Catholic Bishops during a midday prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington. (L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP)

Of the hundreds of Rhode Islanders who traveled to the nation's capital Wednesday to see Pope Francis, among the most interested was Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin.

The bishop, who in addition to watching the events also participated in many of them, said one thing that particularly struck him, besides the enthusiasm of the crowds, was the pope’s stamina.

At the end of the day, he said of the bishops, “we were very tired, and we didn’t do anything.”

Earlier in the day, in an address to the bishops who were in Washington, Francis spoke of the church’s handling of sexual abuse involving priests. His remarks were widely criticized by victim support groups and others as overly sympathetic to the bishops, who are often blamed for hiding reports of abuse for, in some cases, years.

Tobin said he did not think the address to the bishops was meant to be Francis’ only comment on the issue.

“I had to remind myself, this is only his first speech,” he said. “He’s going to be making a number of them. I would tell everyone they should stay tuned. We’re only in the first inning.”

Francis’ openness and welcoming approach to the job of leading the Catholic church has led to many people, in the church and outside it, having high expectations for him on a variety of issues, Tobin said.

“The style has changed more than the substance,” the bishop said. “Every pope works from his own personality. Francis is remarkable in his ability to touch people in word and gesture.”

Rhode Islanders invited to the White House lawn Wednesday morning included state Sen. Dennis L. Algiere, the Senate minority leader who represents Westerly and parts of Charlestown and South Kingstown, as well as Central Falls Mayor James A. Diossa, and Rep. Carlos E. Tobon, who represents Pawtucket.

Algiere, a lawyer and senior vice president at Washington Trust, said he and 15 others had attended a meeting in the White House Tuesday with President Barack Obama's senior advisers. They were all invited back Wednesday to help welcome the pope.

“It was a great experience,” he said. “The one message I took away” was how the pope wanted to bring “all people together to help people in need. I thought he did very well. It was an uplifting spiritual experience.”

Diossa could barely believe that he was seeing the pope, whom he considers to be “the most popular man in the world.” The pope spoke about climate change, Diossa said, and immigration. “The overall message was that we really have to reach out and serve others.”