Pope’s blessing at the Capitol brings Boehner to tears

This after making history in Washington.

Pope Francis, in his first visit to the United States, found himself in the exalted position of addressing Congress.

Pope Francis urged respect for life at every stage, and an end to the death penalty, and also to follow the golden rule. Recently my brother bishops here in the United States renewed their call for the abolition of the death penalty. He says the pope’s message has managed to lift the spirits of many who are here illegally.

He reiterated his previous calls that all punishment be “just” and “never exclude the dimension of hope and the goal of rehabilitation”, a clear criticism of life without parole.

Pope Francis speaks his mind, and he did that again in his address to a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday morning.

After much anticipation that the Pope would use the speech as a chance to lecture Congress about inequality in America, he appeared to adopt a more conciliatory tone toward America’s lawmakers, while still encouraging them to do more to promote social justice.

Once the first papal speech before Congress was over, however, they retreated to their respective partisan corners, and offered up different interpretations of the pontiff’s message. “As elected representatives, we are entrusted by the people of this country to act on their behalf on issues of policy and law”.

In terms of Africa, Father Atusameso, who also heads an organization called the Jatukik Catholic Foundation in Washington, said there is a lot the citizens of the continent can expect from him.

Shortly after his speech, Mayor Bill de Blasio, along with other 18 mayors across the country, sent a letter to the Obama administration – timed to the pope’s visit – asking them to accept additional Syrian crisis refugees beyond the 10,000 his administration has already agreed to accept. “That surprised me. He invokes Jesus” very words and the whole Congress rose to their feet and thunderous applause”.

“Attending the Catholic masses has brought me into closer with the Catholic faith and understanding it better”, Marley says.

Aside from his reminding representatives and senators of their obligations, during his 45 minute address, Francis touched on the causes of war and the need for environmental action.

“Merton was above all a man of prayer, a thinker who challenged the certitudes of his time and opened new horizons for souls and for the Church”, the pope said.

“Not to turn their back on our neighbors and everything around us”, advised the pope.