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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Protect pristine headwaters from nickel mining ... Bumper crop ... Growers and Crafters Market searching for new homes ... Our View: Protect pristine headwaters from nickel mining ... Bumper crop ... Growers and Crafters Market searching for new homes ... PAPAL VISIT Rogue Valley residents inspired by Pope Francis' speech Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 24, 2015 at 4:00 PM Updated Sep 24, 2015 at 5:46 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 24, 2015 at 4:00 PM Updated Sep 24, 2015 at 5:46 PM » Social News It didn't matter that Garrett West was one in an audience of tens of thousands Thursday; he could hear a pin drop at times. The sizable crowd listened intently in those moments, eyes on several large Jumbotron TV screens outside the U.S. Capitol building, hanging on every word as Pope Francis, leader of the Roman Catholic Church, addressed a joint session of Congress. “There were times where everyone had to be silent in the crowd so we could hear him because of his accent,” said West, a 23-year-old North Medford High School graduate who is in his second year of law school at Georgetown University. “The crowd was very silent, and I was very appreciative of that.” West was one of 50 Oregonians who received tickets to the event from U.S. Rep. Greg Walden. He took in the speech from the Capitol's west lawn. Though he isn't Catholic, West said he appreciated being part of the historic event, noting how Pope Francis has resonated with the public. "H e is definitely someone who is advocating for peace and human rights, and to remind ourselves that everyone is human and everyone deserves the dignity they’re supposed to get," West said. "I definitely see him as a person leading and advocating for change in the world." Pope Francis' speech touched on a variety of topics, notably the recent wave of refugees from war-torn countries fleeing to Europe, "of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War," the importance of the Golden Rule, human rights and fighting to end poverty. "To see him continuously reference the United States as a founding nation in the philosophy of human rights, and asking us to perpetuate them globally and follow them globally, is a really big thing," West said. "I definitely felt that reverberating in his message." Walden himself applauded the speech. "I thought his remarks were challenging and uplifting," Walden said in a video message. "Clearly he's a man of the people who speaks his mind." Eagle Point resident Nick Hewitt, who, along with his wife, Ruth, also received a ticket from Walden, said he came away inspired. "It was absolutely amazing," said Hewitt, 59. "It's going to go down as one of the things that I will carry with me until I die." Points of the speech that stood out for Hewitt included a call to end war and to do a better job of caring for the poor. Hewitt also took note of the diverse, inclusive crowd. "Everybody was so polite. Everybody wanted to be there. It was a very cosmopolitan crowd," Hewitt said. "There were people from all religions there. I mean all religions, and they were all welcome. There were people of all colors there, and they were all welcome. It was a wonderful thing to see." Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 24, 2015 at 4:00 PM Updated Sep 24, 2015 at 5:46 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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