The Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Christ, successor to Saint Peter and leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, is coming to America. On Sept. 24, he addresses a joint meeting of Congress. The next day he speaks at the U.N.

Most Americans have likely already forgotten or ignored his recent “encyclical” calling card and its content. Like the TPP and the Iran Nuclear Deal, Pope Francis’ controversial letter, “addressing every person living on this planet,” has had its news cycle and been largely relegated to old news, personal irrelevance or an individual inability to assess and deal with such complex issues.

The Pope’s call to arms, materially, spiritually and environmentally, makes the other two matters seem inconsequential but for their blatant testimony that what he wants us to reevaluate is indeed of supreme importance for individuals, nations and for humanity itself.

The provocative encyclical isn’t a presentation in clever sound bites, but a lengthy and thorough evaluation of what troubles mankind and the planet we collectively continue to threaten. It pulls no punches in its intended wakeup call. To put it bluntly, it cuts Christianity, as intended rather than institutionalized and halfheartedly practiced, to the chase.

I suspect the Pope’s visit to be more than a mere social call to the leadership of what many Americans, especially those of a conservative viewpoint, claim to be an inherently Christian nation. If the encyclical is given even cursory attention, it presents serious challenge to those having a comfortable acceptance of things as they are. Unfettered capitalism and environmental science denial don’t fair well in the encyclical’s recommendations for necessary change. Opposition to immigration reform and a compassionate social safety net are similarly harshly criticized. Globalization and continued adoration of all things technological is severely admonished.

Congress is known to have little inclination to read anything fully and unspun. The TPP could only be read within the confines of an eyes-only guarded Capital building basement room. The Iran Deal was assessed by some in Congress unread or factually invented by the same blind partisanship that penned the invitations to the Iraq War.

On Sept. 24, the encyclical’s message will be hand-delivered, ceremonially repackaged and read aloud by the most spectacularly dressed conservative tree hugger on the planet. Unless C-SPAN provides the only sustained coverage, the American people might just tune in and witness a far better angel act than that recently attempted by Bibi Netantahu. I anticipate it to be very high drama indeed. Maybe even celestial.

Then again, a week after the 24th, America’s collective conscience will probably dwell little on whatever transpires during that historic encounter. Politics as usual will reduce it to another dismissed exchange in the overall chaos of our materialistically destructive course whether momentarily lurching to the left or right.

Our politicians continue to slug it out through minor victories and major defeats for partisan advantage that changes little of the overall obstacle of a divided nation. The major goal of either side is to rig the game as best they can to remain viable players. That governance should be more than blood sport, and American life more elevated than reality TV, is somehow missed altogether in the constantly hyped play-by-play escapism of a 24-7 consumer driven news spectacle.

When a recent New York Times op-ed actually rallied behind Fox News’ handling of the Republican presidential debate one knows that circus totally trumps what used to be reasonably intelligent public discourse. The Donaldization of American politics is yet another cultural indignity we can’t seem to break free from, like the McDonaldization of our nation as a whole, and the ever compromising “globalization” of the planet.

Pope Francis is named so not by mere chance. His namesake is the patron saint of animals and the environment, and caregiver to those marginalized by a materially consumed society. Those that believe that man was made in the image of his creator sometimes forget that all creation reflects that same origin and that “the last shall be first.”

Our planet is truly embattled and we are the enemy. Rather than being cleverly alarmist, “Give Bees A Chance” is a justifiably alarming bumper sticker. As Monsanto continues its manipulation of the world’s food resources, natural pollination is increasingly endangered. Major bee die-offs threaten food security and nature worldwide. Science as rescuer tries to outrace science as perpetrator. Technology responds to accusations of responsibility by proposing still another technological solution. Artificial bees. Miniature drones designed to mimic traditional pollination. Fantastically absurd, yet true. That it won’t suffice for nature’s more devastatingly vast non-commercial needs is eclipsed by ready rationalization for continued techno-worship.

Francis’ foremost encyclical message is to discourage belief that technology is the answer to everything. His radical truth is that materialism is fundamentally wrong, that it poisons people and the entire world. Apple Inc. might rethink its iconic bitten fruit logo.

Such a message is unlikely to find much support in the capital of the most materialistic and eempowered nation on earth. The U.N. might provide a more receptive audience. If religious, pray that’s the case. If secular-humanist, let’s hope so.

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Gary Anderson lives in Bath.