GOLDEN RULE'S
Message to Congress
Pope Francis on Thursday became the first pontiff to address a joint meeting of Congress, giving a StateoftheUnionlike speech to lawmakers that touched on issues across the political spectrum, including immigration, poverty, the death penalty, abortion and samesex marriage.
The highlight of the address came as the leader of 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide invoked the Golden Rule, telling some of the most powerful leaders in America to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
“This rule points us in a clear direction. Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated,” Francis told the assemblage, which included nearly every member of both houses and members of the Supreme Court.
He got a standing ovation from conservative lawmakers as he bashed abortion by declaring “The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibil ity to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development.”
Speaking in halting English, the 78yearold, Argentineborn pontiff also made statements near and dear to the hearts of liberal Democrats, as he called for ending the death penalty.
Hearing that, Rep. Nydia Velazquez (DBrooklyn) shouted “Whooo!” in the packed House chamber.
“It was unexpected. I didn’t expect him to reference that. It was quite a breath of fresh air,” Velazquez told The Post.
The pope also waded into the immigration debate, which has become the biggest hotbutton issue in the current presidential race. He reminded Americans that nearly all of them were descendents of immigrants themselves.
“Millions of people came to this land to pursue their dream of building a future in freedom. I say this to you as the son of immigrants, knowing that so many of you are also descended from immigrants,” he said, calling the United States “the land of the free and home of the brave.”
The pontiff, whose parents emigrated from Italy to Argen tina, called on lawmakers to work harder to fight poverty and income equality.
“Keep in mind all those people around us who are trapped in a cycle of poverty. They, too, need to be given hope,” Francis said, while at the same time declaring that “business is a noble vocation.”
The nod to business by the pope — who has in the past criticized capitalism — wasn’t the only GOPfriendly remark. While not directly mentioning samesex marriage, he called for the defense of traditional family.
Francis also assailed the international arms trade for causing worldwide death and suffering for profit.
“Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money — money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood,” he said.
Francis then urged the United States to welcome migrants from Syria and other areas plagued by violence in the Middle East and Africa.
“We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing
their faces and listening to their stories,” he said.
He also took aim — without identifying groups like ISIS or al Qaeda by name — at terrorists sowing death across the world.
“Our world is increasingly a place of violent conflict, hatred and brutal atrocities, committed even in the name of God. This means that we must be especially attentive to every type of fundamentalism, whether religious or of any other kind,” the pope said.
Francis repeated his call for action on climate change and his praise of diplomacy for the thaw in US relations with Cuba and Iran.
The pope’s visit moved pols from both sides of the aisle.
House Speaker John Boehner (ROhio) — a Catholic who was instrumental in securing the pontiff’s visit — teared up at several points.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a Democratic presidential contender who is Jewish and who is on the opposite ideological pole from Boehner, praised the pontiff.
“He forces us to address some of the major issues facing humanity: war, income and wealth inequality, poverty, unemployment, greed, the death penalty,” he said.
Outside the Capitol, tens of thousands filled the lawn, watching and listening to Francis’ remarks on video screens.
After making brief remarks in Spanish on the balcony, Francis concluded by declaring in English, “God bless America!”
The people’s pope then skipped lunch with politicos — and instead hobnobbed with the homeless.
Francis shouted “Buen apetito!” as he waded through a crowd of 300 at the lunch hosted by Catholic Charities.