Pope Urges Congress to Take Action on World Problems

Pope Francis “challenged Congress and by extension the mightiest nation in history on Thursday to break out of its cycle of polarization and paralysis to finally use its power to heal the ‘open wounds’ of a planet torn by hatred, greed, poverty and pollution,” the New York Times reports.

“Taking a rostrum never before occupied by the bishop of Rome, the pontiff issued a vigorous call to action on issues largely favored by liberals, including a powerful defense of immigration, a critique of the excesses of capitalism, an endorsement of environmental legislation, a blistering condemnation of the arms trade and a plea to abolish the death penalty.”

Politico: “In white robes that glowed against the austere setting, flanked by two former Catholic altar boys — House Speaker John Boehner and Vice President Joe Biden — the pope delivered a stern exhortation to show more legislative responsibility and compassion for all citizens.”