Pope Francis becomes the first religious leader to speak to a joint meeting of Congress later today, and it’s certain that the Pontiff’s appearance will not be your everyday ordinary speech by a visiting foreign dignitary.
That much has been made clear by a letter to lawmakers from congressional leaders, asking legislators not to try to shake hands or otherwise engage the Pope in conversation when he arrives at the House chamber.
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have promised to take a break from the normal bickering and discord in order to focus attention on the Pope’s speech.
On the West Lawn, tens of thousands of spectators will watch the proceedings, in addition to countless others watching on television around the globe.
The sergeant at arms will signal the Pope’s arrival by shouting, “Mr. Speaker, the pope of the Holy See,” at which time Pope Francis will enter the chamber and step up to the dais where the president delivers the State of the Union address, and where monarchs and heads of state have spoken to Congress throughout history.
Behind him will be a pair of Catholic lawmakers, Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner.
Not everyone is eager to see and hear the Pope speak, however; one house Republican says he’ll boycott the speech because of the pope’s position on climate change, which he spoke about alongside President Obama on Wednesday.
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