Pope's historic address to Congress could spark controversy
Pope Francis makes history Thursday as the first pontiff ever to address a joint meeting of Congress and, like everything else on Capitol Hill, his views are being put through the political filter, reports CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes.
In his remarks at the White House Wednesday, Francis did not shy away from politically heated topics, commending President Obama for his climate change fight and for using his roots to stress the importance of immigration.
While even House Speaker John Boehner, who invited the pope to speak, says he does not know what he will say, Wednesday could be an indication that Francis will wade into polarizing issues.
Nearly a third of Congress is Catholic, but the pope's address could have some political overtones that make some Republicans squirm in their seats. The pope leans decidedly to the left on the U.S. political spectrum on issues including immigration, climate change and aid to the poor. His views even mirror those of Democrats on a nuclear deal with Iran.
And there are issues like abortion and same-sex marriage that for decades have put high profile Democrats at odds with the church. But those are not the issues that animate this pope.
He has even become a focus for GOP presidential candidates -- six of whom are Catholic -- including Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, and Chris Christie, whose views are at odds with the pontiff's.
"I don't get economic policy from my bishops or my cardinals or my pope," Bush has said.
Despite the political divide, no one wants the address to turn into a version of the State of the Union, during which one party applauds and the other sits on its hands. More than one lawmaker has told us they're just looking forward to greeting their spiritual leader and they're less concerned about his politics.
"I hope it has spiritual content. I think we need that more than the political. But let's give him a chance," said Republican Sen. Dan Coates of Indiana.
One Republican congressman, Arizona's Paul Gosar, said he'll sit out the address because he does not "need to be lectured by the pope on climate change."
What if Francis comes with a lecture for both sides?
"He may tell them, 'Get over your partisanship.' You know, 'Sit down, talk to one another,' and at that point, the American people will jump up and applaud!" said Father Thomas Reese, a senior analyst for the National Catholic Reporter.
The politicians have all been told not to try to crowd the aisle, to get a handshake or a selfie -- all things they've been known to do at other joint meetings of Congress.