Rep. Chu Welcomes Visit and Address by Pope Francis
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, His Holiness Pope Francis addressed a Joint Meeting of Congress as part of a six-day tour to the United States – the first time Pope Francis has visited the country. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), who attended his address, released the following statement:
“Pope Francis delivered a clear and uplifting message—one of peace, responsibility, and commonality. He urged the nation’s political leaders to seek and embrace solutions to many of the most critical issues we face as a global community, like poverty and climate change. Above all, the Pope’s message was one of compassion and humanity to all, especially the most vulnerable among us. As he said today, ‘The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us.’
“Perhaps most central in his remarks, is the need to treat immigrants with dignity and respect. Having the opportunity to meet with refugees in our nation’s family detention facilities and witnesses the horrible conditions, I can agree that this is not the right way to treat those who seek protection in our country. We, who come from immigrants ourselves, must treat with humanity today’s immigrants who also seek a better future for themselves and their families.
“And I was particularly moved by Pope Francis’ call to address the realities of climate change. I agree that we must be effective stewards of the environment – an imperative that should ring true regardless of one’s faith. It’s our duty to future generations that we leave our planet better than the one that we have inherited, and as the Pope pointed out, it is well within our abilities to do so.”