What the US government can learn from Pope Francis

Time and again, Pope Francis has stunned the world with his candid and compassionate approach to divisive global issues. He has addressed global poverty, international migration, climate change and others from a distinct bottom-up perspective, focusing on the ways in which individuals, families and communities are affected — and how they can be a part of the solution to these pressing challenges.

Unlike the heads of most global institutions, Francis has made it clear that he sees our cities as agents for change in today’s world.

In June, for example, he hosted 60 mayors at the Vatican to discuss collective actions to mitigate the human impact of climate change. The common declaration published after the meeting proclaimed, “Human-induced climate change is a scientific reality, and its effective control is a moral imperative for humanity. In this core moral space, cities play a very vital role.”

Francis’ high expectations for city leadership appears rooted in both realpolitik and religious belief. Both are directly relevant to the political and policy debates happening in the United States today.

While our federal government is stymied by partisan and ideological gridlock, cities are addressing our most visceral challenges. Climate change is a perfect example. While U.S. senators can debate its existence in the insulated safety of the Capitol, mayors and other local leaders must act when sea levels rise.

Yet the pope’s appreciation of cities is also a reflection of the longstanding Catholic principle of subsidiarity; the belief that social problems should be addressed by institutions that are close to ground and capable of action.

Subsidiarity is a principle that operates in both directions — larger institutions should not undermine smaller ones (like the family, neighborhood, or community); and smaller institutions should be able to rely on larger ones to do the things that are beyond their capacities.

Subsidiarity is not an abstract article of religious faith — it has been highly influential in American politics.