Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH), himself a practicing Catholic, announced Thursday that Pope Francis will address a joint meeting of Congress during the pontiff's visit to the United States in September.
From the statement on the speaker's website:
“It is my great privilege to announce that His Holiness Pope Francis will visit the United States Capitol on Thursday, September 24, 2015. On that day, he will become the first leader of the Holy See to address a joint meeting of Congress. It will be a historic visit, and we are truly grateful that Pope Francis has accepted our invitation.
“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.”
It's a privilege to have His Holiness Pope Francis here in Sept. It will be a historic visit. http://t.co/2cjyj9FlqN @Pontifex
— Speaker John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) February 5, 2015
Tell America: What issues do you think Pope Francis should address during his speech?
