Democrats Implore Pope to Address Migrants, Climate, Poverty

Mike Normile, of Cleveland, Ohio, packs up his cardboard cutout of Pope Francis after offering people the chance to take a picture with it in front of Union Station in Washington, on Monday. (Al Drago/CQ Roll Call)
Mike Normile, of Cleveland, Ohio, packs up his cardboard cutout of Pope Francis after offering people the chance to take a picture with it in front of Union Station in Washington, on Monday. (Al Drago/CQ Roll Call)
By Matt Fuller
Posted September 22, 2015 at 1:05pm

Just hours before Pope Francis arrives in Washington, House Democrats are releasing three videos imploring the Vatican leader to address three issues near to their hearts: immigration, climate change and poverty.  

Using the repeated refrain of “Pope Francis” — over the course of three videos that collectively span just over five minutes, 18 House Democrats say “Pope Francis” 33 times — the videos feature members staring straight into the camera, addressing the pope directly and asking him to use his address to Congress on Thursday as an opportunity to make news on those three issues. Pope Francis has already shown a willingness to discuss immigration, climate change and poverty, and he has mostly come down on the side of Democrats on those issues. While Republicans are hopeful Pope Francis talks about the sanctity of life, as Congress prepares to vote for a continuing resolution with or without Planned Parenthood funding, Democrats want to steer the conversation toward more friendly ground.  

“We thank the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for being a resolute voice for human dignity and compassion,” Xavier Becerra, the chairman of the Democratic Caucus said in a statement releasing the videos. “House Democrats agree with Pope Francis on the compelling need to fix our broken immigration system, to combat climate change that threatens our health and communities, and to raise the minimum wage so that no one working hard full-time lives in poverty.”  

Ahead of the pope’s speech to Congress on Thursday,” the California Democrat continued, “we hope he urges Congress to take heed and take action.”  

You can watch all three videos below:  

Call for an immigration overhaul:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTdON2_uYSU&feature=youtu.be  

A call for Congress to act on climate change:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUxiBmPWvHs&feature=youtu.be