Pope Francis will address Congress

Pope Francis will address Congress

Catholic News Service

Paul Haring | CNS

Pope Francis prays as he leads ecumenical vespers at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome Jan. 25.

WASHINGTON — House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, announced Feb. 5 that Pope Francis will address a joint meeting of Congress Sept. 24.

The pontiff's "historic visit" would make him the "first leader of the Holy See to address a joint meeting of Congress," Boehner said in a statement, adding that he was "truly grateful that Pope Francis has accepted our invitation."

Boehner noted that "in a time of global upheaval, the Holy Father's message of compassion and human dignity has moved people of all faiths and backgrounds. His teachings, prayers, and very example bring us back to the blessings of simple things and our obligations to one another."

"We look forward to warmly welcoming Pope Francis to our Capitol and hearing his address on behalf of the American people," he added.

A statement from the Archdiocese of Washington called it "a great honor and tremendous joy to welcome our Holy Father, Pope Francis, to the Archdiocese of Washington during his proposed pastoral visit to the United States in September."

The statement said the announced visit "will be a time of grace for all of us." It also said the archdiocese looks forward "to the official announcement of more details of the visit."

On Jan. 19 when the pope was on the plane returning to Rome from his visit to the Philippines, he told reporters that his September trip to the U.S. would take him to Philadelphia, New York and Washington — where he intends to canonize Blessed Junipero Serra.

The pope also confirmed he would visit the United Nations in New York. He had already announced his participation Sept. 26 and 27 in Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families there.

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, announced Feb. 5 that Pope Francis will address a joint meeting of Congress Sept. 24. The pontiff's "historic visit" would make him the "first leader of the Holy See to address a joint meeting of Congress," Boehner said in a statement, adding that he was "truly grateful that Pope Francis has accepted our invitation."

So THAT'S why he's planning to cross the Mexico border illegally! That meeting with the EPA must have done the trick.

Boehner wants amnesty, but it’s still unpopular with the USSA sheeple, I think he’s using this pope from S. America to sway the opinion. With Pope Francis’s leanings on socialist economics, global warning, outreach to muslims, and my 12 years of catholic schooling, I’m beginning to wonder if bears really do poop in the woods.
Boehner is Obama’s BFF, will it cumulate that this pope will be Obama’s BFF?
If his speech should include amnesty, along with this symbolic Mexican crossing, and this results in millions more crossing over, will he be known as Francis the mule?

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