Pope Francis makes maiden Pontiff speech in U.S. Congress

For the first time in history a Pontiff addressed a joint meeting of Congress in Washington DC at the House Chamber. Pope Francis on Thursday received a hearty welcome from more than 500 justices, lawmakers and officials.

John Boehner, the Speaker of the House, who is also a Catholic, greeted him at the U.S. Capitol and led him to the chamber where he was received with a thunderous applause.

He thanked the congress for the invitation to address the Joint Session of Congress saying it is “the land of the free and the home of the brave”.

While addressing the Congress, the Pope tackled several topics such as immigration, abortion, the refugee crisis and climate change. He emphasized on the importance of embracing immigrants as the world is facing a refugee crisis with a magnitude that has never been seen since World War II noting that the majority travel to the U.S. in search of a better lives.

He said that people should not be taken aback by their huge numbers but rather should view them as persons, see their faces and listen to their stories.

“I say this to you as the son of immigrants, knowing that so many of you are also descended from immigrants and we must be able to respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal,” he said.

In his speech, the Pope mentioned on the renewal of calls for “the global abolition of the death penalty” saying that his conviction that has led him to advocate at different levels for the global abolition of the death penalty.

“I am convinced that this way is the best, since every life is sacred, every human person is endowed with an inalienable dignity, and society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes.”

To the lawmakers, he related their hard labour to that of Moses, saying they had a responsibility to bring about unity and this would be through legislation.

He touched on the importance of being attentive to fundamentalism be it religion or any other kind. On economic inequality, he said that “even in the developed world, the effects of unjust structure and actions are all too apparent.”

The Pontiff also called the basis of marriage and the family into question.

He reaffirmed his appreciation and esteem to the indigenous people of America: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton who faced turbulent and violent contacts with colonizing powers.

“God bless America!” were his last words as he received a standing ovation.

Mr. Boehner sat behind the Pontiff and appeared to be moved by the speech.

The 78 year old Argentinne Pointiff later appeared on a balcony at the St. Patricks City Church and spoke to thousands gathered on the West Lawn.