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US Lawmakers Urge Pope Leo XIV to Address Congress

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Faith Desk

In Short: Over 90 US lawmakers have signed a bipartisan letter urging Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to invite Pope Leo XIV to address a joint session of Congress in January.

The letter, led by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), highlights Pope Leo's unique status as the first American-born pope and his potential to serve as a unifying force in the wake of a divisive election.

The election of Pope Leo XIV serves as a sign of great pride for millions of Americans," lawmakers wrote in the letter. "His unique perspective and ties to our country would serve as a unifying force for members of Congress.

The lawmakers also noted the historical significance of a pope addressing Congress, referencing Pope Francis's 2015 address as a precedent.

The letter also emphasized Pope Leo's message of peace, compassion, and human dignity, which lawmakers believe would be especially timely following recent divisive events.

"Pope Leo's urgent and universal call for peace, for greater love, and for solidarity that recognizes and champions the dignity of every person, no exceptions, is urgently needed," the lawmakers wrote.

The bipartisan effort has received enthusiastic support from Catholic lawmakers and organizations.

"We respectfully request that you extend a formal invitation to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to address a Joint Session of Congress during the beginning of the 120th Congress," the lawmakers concluded.

Pope Leo XIV has already made headlines for his stance on issues such as capital punishment and AI ethics, further emphasizing his relevance to contemporary political debates.

"This strength also depends on the personal integrity of those entrusted with the responsibility to govern, for corruption erodes citizens’ trust in their institutions," Pope Leo XIV added in a recent speech.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has also urged the faithful to pray for Pope Leo XIV, highlighting the significance of his papacy.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• “The election of Pope Leo XIV serves as a sign of great pride for millions of Americans. As the first ever American-born Pope, his unique perspective, and ties to our country, would serve as a unifying force for members of Congress. Following a divisive election, Pope Leo’s unifying message of service, compassion for fellow mankind, and the importance of human dignity would be especially timely,” wrote the lawmakers.
• Given the undeniable historical significance and cultural impact of Pope Francis’s address to Congress in 2015, we urge you to work to schedule a joint address as soon as possible in the beginning of the 120th Congress with the first American-born Pope.
• Pope Leo's urgent and universal call for peace, for greater love, and for solidarity that recognizes and champions the dignity of every person, no exceptions, is urgently needed.
• 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.
• In their request, the lawmakers highlighted the historical significance of a pope addressing Congress, referencing Pope Francis' 2015 address as the first time a pope had done so.
• The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged the faithful to pray for Pope Leo in a post on X.

What's still developing

• As the first American to be elected pope, he already holds a unique place in the history of our nation.
• The facts confirm that Pope Leo XIV will meet with victims of clerical sexual abuse during his trip to South America The letter to House leaders also noted the historical significance of a pope addressing Congress, referencing Pope Francis' 2015 visit.
• Pope Leo XIV and other clergy kneel at the altar during Mass at the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid, June 7, 2026.
• Pope Leo XIV on Saturday reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s opposition to capital punishment as the Pentagon faced bipartisan criticism over plans to livestream the firing-squad execution of the former Army major convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood.
• Amid recent calls from several artificial intelligence leaders for a slowdown in the technology’s development, the nation’s Catholic bishops are engaging tech leaders and lawmakers to address concerns over AI and online child safety.
• 14, 2026, can be seen in front of Rome’s Gemelli hospital where Pope Leo XIV is recovering from surgery during which doctors removed his lower right lung to treat a cancerous tumor.

Sources

• Lake County News,Californialink
• OSV Newslink
• The Catholic Heraldlink
• Warpbeatlink
• Thecatholictelegraphlink
• Ncregisterlink
• Sanlink
• Christiandailylink
• Thefloridacatholiclink
• Thedialoglink
• Iobservelink
• Thechroniclelink
• Angelusnewslink
• Thelettersfromleolink
• WarpBeat — background on Congress Urges Pope Leo XIV to Address Joint Session link
• WarpBeat — background on Congress Urges Pope Leo XIV to Address Joint Session link
• Strange Normal — video link