Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey To Meet Pope Francis At White House

Ducey’s comments stand in stark contracts to US Rep. Paul Gosar, who said he plans to boycott the pope’s congressional address because of the possibility the pontiff will discuss his support for policies to fight climate change. “There is so much about what Pope Francis has to say that is inclusive and reflects the kind of personal commitment that Pope Francis has to a wide range of issues, particularly when it comes to social justice”. “The notion that we all benefit when people are lifted out of poverty and there’s not the challenge of extreme inequality”.

“This pope is a very independent figure and we know from his previous travels that we don’t know what he’s going to say until he says it”, said Charlie Kupchan, senior director for European affairs at the White House National Security Council.

Arriving in the United States from Cuba, Pope Francis “will enter as a migrant” as millions of people have done before him, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state. Pope Francis will be made to walk the plank for the sin of still being a Catholic on matters of life, family and marriage – and regardless of his own concerns that the ensuing photo op will be perceived by some to be a doctrinal softening. “He’s got some other positions that are a bit more controversial”. “Or he’s in alignment with me, as is the president, but Connecticut’s leading there”.

While Obama and Francis talk about the shared humanity of migrants around the world, other Vatican officials may press for specific actions the United States could take to alleviate the Syrian refugee crisis in Europe. (Watch it live here.) He will be the third pope to have ever visited the White House.

In April 2008, President Bush welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to the White House. “Especially during this tumultuous time of upheaval in many parts of the world, we welcome the Pope’s presence and prayers, teachings and messages, as well as his affirmation of the imperative of dialogue and cooperation between religions“.

With Boehner and Vice President Joe Biden, another Catholic, seated behind him, Francis will become the rare religious leader to address a joint meeting of Congress. According to the House historian, the first was Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. Prior to the court’s decision, Obama had said, “There has been an incredible shift in attitudes across the country”.

“These are the people Pope Francis cares about”, she wrote, referring to the struggling Americans she has met in various cities on the current trip.

Isakson called Francis “a down-to-earth individual”.

On policy issues, Malloy said he thinks Connecticut lines up well with the pontiff and that the pope would look fondly upon his efforts to provide relief to one-time criminal offenders, through the Second Chance Initiative.

The next meeting would not be for 40 years, between Dwight Eisenhower and Pope John XXIII.