Pope Francis will visit the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, where he will deliver an address before Congress at 10 a.m. ET.
Watch live:
WATCH LIVE: Pope Francis Speaks Before Congress Thurs. At 10 AM ET
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Love this Pope, but never understood the concept of a religious figure speaking before Congress. If the Catholic Church wants to get involved in politics, the church needs to start coughing up at least some tax money. Perhaps a reduced rate, but at least something.
And let’s be fair, if his address topic was a “pro-life” agenda, we liberals would be complaining. But since it agrees with some of our agenda, many are all for it.
It has already been stated that Scalia, Thomas and Alito will not be in attendance. I believe there are some Congressionals that will be elsewhere too.
Way to show the good side of the US, folks. The whole world is watching. Don’t diss the Pope.
I wouldn’t. It’s instructive to shine a bright light on leaders of the world–whether or not we support them. Speaking before Congress is a pretty bright light in American. Perhaps not as much as Dancing With The Stars, but still…
Secondly on the taxes issue. No international leaders or their nations pay taxes to America. I agree that Churches should be taxed, but using this as a reason is rather silly.
I’m not saying the Pope should pay taxes. But the Catholic church has all kinds of holdings and investments here in the US.
http://www.economist.com/node/21560536
There is also income from investments. Timothy Dolan, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Cardinal-Archbishop of New York (a “corporation sole”, meaning a legal entity consisting of a single incorporated office, occupied by a single person), is believed to be Manhattan’s largest landowner, if one includes the parishes and organisations that come under his jurisdiction.
And I believe in separation of church and state. I like the Pope saying all this stuff publicly, but saying it before Congress does not seem cool. I think he, or any other religious figure, should only be doing a prayer service in such a venue if requested.
He’s a Head of State.