Pope Francis goes to Congress this morning, addressing a
joint meeting of the House and Senate.
What will Pope Francis say?
As Capitol Hill buzzes in anticipation of the pope’s speech to Congress Thursday — the first ever of its kind — the fever and fanfare ushering in the event is rivaled only by the suspense and expectation surrounding his ultimate message to lawmakers.
Francis is hardly one to shy away from politics, routinely infusing spiritual themes of a shared humanity with advocacy for bolder global action on issues as diverse as economic inequality, environmental degradation, abortion and the plight of migrants.
He
hit the issues of immigration and global warming clearly yesterday when visiting the White House, undoubtedly making Republicans grumble. But
then he visited the Little Sisters of the Poor as "a sign of support for them in their legal battle, Rev. Federico Lombardi, a Vatican spokesman, told reporters." So there's a little bit to make everyone happy. Or mad. Who knows what we'll get today?
The speech will begin at 10:00 ET and you can watch a livestream here.
6:50 AM PT: The chamber has been gaveled in and the place is buzzing as everyone looks for a seat. Looks as though the Pope is going to be on time.
6:57 AM PT: The SCOTUS and the cabinet are now in the chamber. Curiously, neither Justice Scalia or Alito is in attendance.
7:03 AM PT: Members have been advised that they are only supposed to shake hands with the Pope if he initiates it. They were all very well behaved and there was no inappropriate touching on his way down the aisle between members. He only shook Sec. of State John Kerry's hand. Maybe a nod toward the Iran agreement? And, btw, this is a punctual Pope.
7:05 AM PT: He is addressing the Congress in English, and tells the adoring crowd he is pleased to be "in the land of the free and the home of the brave."
7:08 AM PT: The Pope tells them that "the common good... is the chief aim of all politics." A bit awkward, since the next thing the Congress will probably do is shut down government.
7:12 AM PT: Thus far, his focus has been on issues of income inequality, emphasizing the important job this body has in protecting the poor. "Legislative activity is always based on care for the people. To this you have been invited, called and convened by those who elected you."
7:15 AM PT: He's speaking now about four great Americans: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton, noting significant anniversaries of each. "They shaped fundamental values which will endure forever in the spirit of the American people. A people with this spirit can live through many crises, tensions and conflicts, while always finding the resources to move forward, and to do so with dignity. "
7:16 AM PT: This is the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's assassination. He says, calling back to Lincoln, "building a future of freedom requires love of the common good and cooperation in a spirit of subsidiarity and solidarity."
7:18 AM PT: He warns against religious fundamentalism, of all kinds. "A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology or an economic system, while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellectual freedom and individual freedoms." He specifically warns against "the simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil; or, if you will, the righteous and sinners."
7:20 AM PT: He warns against "every form of polarization which would divide it into these two camps," telling the Congress that "our response must instead be one of hope and healing, of peace and justice." "Even in the developed world, the effects of unjust structures and actions are all too apparent. Our efforts must aim at restoring hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the well-being of individuals and of peoples. We must move forward together, as one, in a renewed spirit of fraternity and solidarity, cooperating generously for the common good."
7:24 AM PT (Barbara Morrill): New thread here.