Pope Francis the First urged Americans and their representatives to work together to make the world a better place.
In an historic speech to the U.S. Congress, the head of the Catholic Church addressed issues of the death penalty, immigration reform and climate change.
Our U.S. correspondent Priscilla Huff reports, starting with the introduction of Pope Francis by Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, John Boehner
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NAT SOT JOHN BOEHNER
"I have the high honor and great privilege of presenting to you, Pope Francis of the Holy See! (APPLAUSE)"
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Lawmakers cheering,
Pope Francis opened his dialogue with the American people and their representatives with a simple message:
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"The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development."
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The historic speech came about thanks to the invitation of Speaker John Boehner, who himself is Catholic., saying The Holy Father's visit is surely a blessing for us all.
The pontiff touched on justice and the death penalty, liberty , arms control and working for the common good.
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In a word, if we want security, let us give security, if we want life, let us give life, if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities. The yard stick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us."
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With tens of thousands watching on big screens on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol complex, a diverse cross section of Americans welcomed the Pope's message:
Father Art Smith is a Catholic priest from Buffalo New York
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He talked about solidarity with the poor. He talked about working together to change institutions and structures. He talked about the marginalized and about how we as a church and as a people have to work together, not at odds with each other in order to make a change that is systemic in our world.
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Marco Rubio is a U-S Senator from Florida, running for the Republican nomination to be the next U-S Presisdent.
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"At a time when so many of our people are gripped with uncertainty about the future, the Pope reminded us that America has a special calling as a nation that is guided by high ideals and the moral aims to build a more perfect union and to make the world a better place. He reminded us that, whatever our policy differences might be, we are all called to put the good of our people above all."
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Lisette Colley watched the speech on the big screens.
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For me as an hispanic woman, the most relevant message for me was two things - one, is the inclusion, the acceptance of new immigrants coming into the United States , but also y'know he talked about the enviroment, taking care of the enviroment and all of us getting involved in that.
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The reception inside the U.S. Capitol was warm, but some criticized Pope Francis for mixing up issues of faith with politics.
Having opened a dialogue with the American people, Pope Francis takes his message of doing more for the Common good, first to New York and the United Nations, where he is expected to address climate change, and then to the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.
Priscilla Huff, Washington
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