Read the remarks Pope Francis delivered today, Sept 23, to the U.S. bishops gathered at the Cathedral of  St. Matthew in Washington. In the midst of his reflections the pope quoted American poet Edgar Lee Masters, best known for his 1915 collection “Spoon River Anthology.”

Pope Francis speaks to bishops during the midday prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington on Sept. 23, 2015. Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Mark Wilson/Pool