Home · Faith · Nov 13 archive
Congress Urges Pope Leo XIV to Address Joint Session
· Confirmed
In Short: On Oct. 30, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., spearheaded a letter signed by 91 members of Congress, asking House Speaker Johnson and 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 visit would offer a much-needed perspective as the legislative body navigates complex foreign and domestic issues.
The letter cited the historical significance of a pope addressing Congress, referencing Pope Francis' 2015 visit, which marked the first time a pope had addressed a joint session.
Pope Leo XIV's visit would include meetings with authorities, interfaith leaders, prisoners, and workers, as well as celebrating 10 public Masses and holding three prayer vigils with young people.
Despite the historic flux in the midterms, at least one lawmaker has continued to express support for the Pope Leo initiative, with Rep. Wesley Bell, D-Mo., posting on X Nov. 6 that he had signed the letter.
If Pope Leo does end up addressing Congress, it may not include either of the lawmakers who led the charge to invite him.
"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 during a visit to South America.
"The Lord is the refuge of the poor" is the title of Pope Leo XIV’s Message for the 10th World Day of the Poor for November.
"Forgive us for storing up instead of sharing, for using goods as power rather than as service," Pope Leo XIV said in his prayer intention for the month.
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.
What this adds
The facts confirm that Pope Leo XIV will meet with victims of clerical sexual abuse during his trip to South America.
The pontiff's visit to the United States would mark the third time a pope has addressed Congress, following Pope Benedict XVI in 2008 and Pope Francis in 2015.
Background
If Pope Leo XIV does end up addressing Congress, it may not include either of the lawmakers who led the charge to invite him.
On Oct. 30, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., led a bipartisan group of 91 lawmakers in a letter to House Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, urging them to invite Pope Leo XIV to address a joint session of Congress in January.
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.
- If Pope Leo does end up addressing Congress, it may possibly not include either of the lawmakers who led the charge to invite him.
- 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.
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.
- "enthusiastically support this important bipartisan effort."
- Pope Francis visited the United States in 2015, as did Pope Benedict XVI in 2008.
- Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) led 91 members of Congress in a letter urging Speaker Johnson, and Leader Jeffries to invite His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to address a Joint Session of Congress during the beginning of the 120th Congress in 2027.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- Its signatories believe that the Pope’s emphasis on service, compassion for others and human dignity would offer a valuable perspective on the difficult domestic and international questions facing Congress (ZENIT News / Washington, 11.11.2026).- A bipartisan initiative is seeking to bring Pope Leo XIV to the floor of the United States Congress, with 91 Republican and Democratic lawmakers asking congressional leaders to invite the first American-born pontiff to address a joint session in 2027.
- Pope Leo XIV marked two full days in Argentina with several Masses and meetings with Catholic leadership along with a youth vigil and a celebration of vespers.