Statement of Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, On the Announcement of the Bipartisan Invitation to Pope Francis to Address a Joint Session of Congress

March 13, 2014

HYATTSVILLE, Md. – Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, issued the following statement:

“It was a pleasure to learn today of the bipartisan invitation extended on behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate by House Speaker John A. Boehner to Pope Francis to address a joint session of Congress. This is, indeed, a high honor, one that recognizes the importance of the qualities the Holy Father embodies – a desire for peace, care for the poor, an ability to bring people together to address the needs of the suffering and marginalized. These are values that our broken world is so in need of at this moment in history. I am grateful to Congress for acknowledging the universal appeal of Pope Francis’ message with this invitation.”

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The Archdiocese of Washington is home to over 620,000 Catholics, 139 parishes and 96 Catholic schools, located in Washington, DC, and five Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s.

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