Pope and Immigration

Pope Francis I Expected to Address Congress on Immigration 

Pope-mania has engulfed the United States, as the country welcomes Pope Francis I for his first visit as Pontiff. The spiritual leader of the Catholic Church has many purposes in visiting the country and his itinerary reflects those purposes. Speaker John Boehner invited His Holiness to address a joint session of Congress, and the Pope will do so today.

It is expected that immigration will be a motif in the Pope’s address. The Catholic church exerts all kinds of resources in protecting, feeding, and sheltering migrants and many organizations are on the frontlines at the border. The Pope’s message throughout his tenure has been to encourage countries to undertake more humane and family-unity based approaches to migration, trying to understand the dangerous situations and plight that migrants are escaping. It is a moral calling that He exhorts.

The Pope’s expected remarks on migration will conflict with the immigration politics that much of the country holds and beliefs that have been broadcast throughout the presidential primary season.

Considering the Pope’s general influence and moral authority, his remarks on immigration will be newsworthy. A livestream of his visit is available here.