Boehner invites Pope Francis to address joint session of Congress

On the one-year anniversary of Pope Francis’ election, Speaker John Boehner has invited him to address a joint session of Congress.

Here’s the email statement from Boehner, posted on Politico:

The Holy Father’s pastoral message challenges people of all faiths, ideologies and political parties. His address as a visiting head of state before a joint meeting of the House and Senate would honor our nation in keeping with the best traditions of our democratic institutions. It would also offer an excellent opportunity for the American people as well as the nations of the world to hear his message in full.

The House speaker presides over joint sessions of both the House of Representatives and Congress. They generally are held for events such as the State of the Union address and presidential inaugurations.

Boehner, who is Catholic, previously had issued a statement congratulating Pope Francis on his election as pope.

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