thomas merton believed in interreligious and intercultural understanding. he was a friend of the dalai lama. he traveled extensively in asia. he wrote about buddhism and taoism for western audiences. he preached about the need for openness to other faiths. thomas merton. those were the two catholic americans that pope francis went out of his way ton just mention today but to talk about in some detail today in this historic address he made before a joint meeting of congress. he called thomas merton a man of dialogue, a promoter of peace between peoples and religions. he talked about dorothy day's social activism. he talked about her passion for justice. why did pope francis single those two american catholics out? why did he put them right at the center of what he wants americans to google and figure out and watch youtube clips of and learn from? right at the center of the most high-profile moment of this