Pope Francis to Congress: 'God bless America'
WASHINGTON (WLS) -- As part of his historic visit to the U.S. in the nation's capital, Pope Francis delivered a speech Thursday before a joint meeting with Congress.
He challenged Congress on issues that have divided Americans - such as immigration, calling himself "a son of this great continent."
"We, the people of this continent, are not fearful of foreigners, because most of us were once foreigners," he said.
PHOTOS: Pope Francis in the United States
There was no holding back on his key issues: helping the poor, saving the environment, ending the death penalty, and on immigration, he reminded the leaders that many of them share an immigrant past.
"The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us," he said.
Pope Francis spoke of gaining inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln and other Americans, and he called for ending capital punishment.
He also warned that no religion is immune from extremism in a world that increasingly shows hatred and brutal atrocities.
"We must be especially attentive to every type of fundamentalism," he said.
Outside, more than 50,000 people jammed the ticketed seats and spread out on the National Mall lawn.
Sen. Dick Durbin was with the pope as he stepped out to address the crowd.
"You just felt the connection - people from whatever walk of life, wherever they were from," Durbin said.
The pope spoke from the balcony in Spanish, asking people to pray for him - and even asking those who don't share his views to send good wishes his way. An imparted blessing also brought tears to the eyes of House Speaker John Boehner.
"Thank you very much and God bless America!" he then said in English.
"He just has an awesome persona, and people just listen," said Marge Quinn, an Orland Park resident.
"I think it's, for the most part, his inclusivity and his humility - I think it's so refreshing, it really attracts a lot of people," said Caroline Hughes, a Highland Park resident.
