Pope and legislature

[billcu1]

I saw an article. Or should I say more accurately the front of a magazine containing an article. That would be more accurate. Saying that Francis will be visiting I believe the US legislature and speaking. There are claims this is the first time anything like such has happened. Is that true, asking all you Catholic historians out there?

Bill

 

[Usige]

That is correct. He will only be the fourth Pope to visit the US. Other papal visits to the US have been to the UN or to meet presidents, but never to speak to a joint session of congress.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Paul VI visited New York and spoke at the UN in 1965. Popes John Paul II and Benedict visited the White House. Francis will be the first one to address Congress.

Video of Benedict at the White House:

April 16, 2008 Arrival Ceremony for the Pope

President and Mrs. Bush held an official state arrival ceremony for Pope Benedict XVI. In his remarks the pope stressed themes of religious tolerance, human rights, democratic principles, and international diplomacy.

Over thirteen thousand people who attended the ceremony sang “Happy Birthday” in honor of his 81st birthday. The events included a simultaneous 21-gun salute and the national anthems of the Holy See and the United States played by the Marine Band. Kathleen Battle performed “The Lord’s Prayer” and the U.S. Army Chorus performed “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

c-span.org/video/?204880-1/arrival-ceremony-pope

 

[Robert_Bay]

Here is a link to a news article about the trip this year

cnn.com/2015/02/05/politics/pope-us-visit-congress/