Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, in a recent commentary, highlighted the diverse congregation he witnessed during Holy Week services at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
He contrasted this experience with the segregation Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. described in his 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech.
Gingrich, who attended services three times with his wife Callista, emphasized the “extraordinary diversity of people” present.
He noted the “variety of dress and ethnicities” as a testament to the Catholic Church’s universal nature, citing the Basilica’s own recognition of its diverse representation, which includes: “African, Austrian, Chinese, Cuban, Czech, Filipino, French, German, Guamanian, Hungarian, Indian, Irish, Italian, Korean, Latin American, Lebanese, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Slovak, Slovenian, and Vietnamese.”
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Gingrich connected this observation to Pope Francis’s emphasis on inclusivity and service to the marginalized. He referenced the late Pope’s actions, such as visiting a Roman prison and washing the feet of inmates, as examples of this commitment. Gingrich believes this focus has contributed to the Catholic Church’s growth, particularly in Africa and South Asia.
He directly addressed Rev. King’s assertion that “11 o’clock on Sunday morning is one of the most segregated hours” in Christian America. Gingrich suggested that the diversity he witnessed at the Basilica, and similarly at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, indicates a shift towards greater unity.
He also referenced his wife’s time as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, noting the diverse diplomatic corps present at St. Peter’s Basilica, as further evidence of this universalism.
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Gingrich concluded by praising Pope Francis’s outreach efforts, even amidst health challenges, and called for continued efforts to “reach out to every person of every background.”
“We must continue to reach out to every person of every background. Together we can seek salvation through faith at the heart of the Christian tradition. This would be a fitting tribute to the memory of Pope Francis,” wrote Gingrich.
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