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Congress Urges Invite for Pope Leo XIV to Address Joint Session
Confirmed
In Short: Catholic lawmakers, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., spearheaded a letter signed by 91 members of Congress, urging House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to formally invite Pope Leo XIV to address a joint session of Congress in January.
The lawmakers noted that Pope Leo's proposed visit would offer a much-needed perspective as the nation navigates complex foreign and domestic issues.
In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted the historical significance of Pope Francis' 2015 address to Congress, which marked the first time a pope had addressed a joint session.
Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago, expressed his personal connection to the United States, stating, 'My arrival in this land is personally meaningful.'
Father Kellerman, a spokesperson for the Catholic Church, emphasized that a joint address to Congress from the Holy Father would serve as a unifying force and a celebration of religious freedom.
The bipartisan letter called Pope Leo XIV 'arguably the strongest moral voice in our world for the promotion of human dignity, peace, and the common good.'
However, if Pope Leo XIV does end up addressing Congress, it may not include either of the lawmakers who led the charge to invite him.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to South America has been closely watched, with questions over whether the pontiff has underestimated his cancer or beaten it with apparent ease.
The pope's visit to Argentina saw more than two million worshippers turn out for a vast public Mass, highlighting the significant impact of his presence.
Pope Leo XIV's message for the 10th World Day of the Poor emphasized the proper use of wealth and forgiveness for storing up instead of sharing.
The bipartisan letter expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV's visit would inspire lawmakers and Catholics to work together to protect shared humanity and the common good.
What this adds
Pope Leo XIV's visit to South America includes meetings with victims of clerical sexual abuse, continuing his efforts to address the Church's past and present issues.
Background
Pope Leo XIV, in his ongoing efforts to address the Church's past and present issues, plans to meet with victims of clerical sexual abuse during his upcoming trip to South America.
What's confirmed
- In their request, the lawmakers said that Pope Leo's proposed "visit would offer a much-needed outlook as we navigate complex foreign and domestic issues." They pointed to Pope Francis' 2015 address to Congress -- which marked the first time a pope had addressed a joint session of the legislative body -- and cited its "undeniable historical significance and cultural impact." In its Oct.
- "My arrival in this land is personally meaningful," Pope Leo said.
- He urged them to place the common good above immediate interests and called on Argentina’s political leaders to exercise authority as a service to the entire community, highlighting the need to strengthen democratic institutions, promote economic opportunities and ensure that growth benefits all sectors of society Arriving in Argentina on the second leg of his Apostolic Journey, following his visit to Uruguay and ahead of his onward journey to Peru, Pope Leo said he had come as the Successor of Peter and as a pastor, wishing to address the entire nation and those who have the task of serving it.
What's still developing
- On Oct. 30, Catholic lawmakers, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., spearheaded a letter signed by 91 members of Congress, asking Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to formally invite the Chicago-born pope to speak at a joint session of the legislative body in January, when it convenes for its 120th session.
- "Today, as his successor in the Petrine ministry, I am in some sense retracing his steps in this country where the personal history of Pope Francis would later be joined to that of the entire Church." Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, led the archdiocese of Buenos Aires from 1998 until he became pope.
- “We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that there are children in Uruguay who do not go to school for fear of never returning home,” the pope said.
- In Molfetta, you are commemorating the centenary of your new premises, commissioned by Pope Pius XI, whose name the Seminary bears, while in Aversa, you are celebrating the tercentenary of the opening of your current building.
- Pope Leo XIV thanked the doctors, nurses and staff at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for their care during his recent hospitalization and expressed gratitude to those who prayed for him, according to Vatican News.
- Pope Leo XIV announced this week that he had accepted the resignation of Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako from the leadership of the Chaldean Church in Iraq and throughout the world after more than a decade of service marked by major pastoral and political challenges.
- Referring to the bridge that connects countries and his homily at Mass just before, the Pope said that faith in one God can unite people in the work of peace.
- “They help us seek God’s presence among us and receive from the Lord the strength and courage to live and proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ, who has given us life.” The Pope then returned by car to Tydeo Larre Borges International Airport for his return flight to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.
- "enthusiastically support this important bipartisan effort."
- Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., spearheaded a letter signed by 91 members of Congress, asking Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to formally invite the Chicago-born pope to speak at a joint session of the legislative body in January, when it convenes for its 120th session.
- CLAYPOLE, Argentina — Pope Leo XIV on Monday praised the work of a care home for disabled people that Argentina’s Catholic bishops have said is imperiled by the austerity policies of President Javier Milei.
- Buenos Aires officials said more than two million worshippers had turned out Monday for a vast public Mass by Pope Leo XIV, with pilgrims travelling from across Argentina and camping overnight to get a glimpse of the pontiff.