President Obama disagrees with Republican Catholics who say that Pope Francis should limit his remarks to religion and theology when he becomes the first pontiff to address Congress on Thursday.
“It was interesting … to watch some of the [presidential] candidates explain some of the differences that they themselves have promoted when it comes to their views and comparing them to the pope,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said about last week’s GOP presidential debate. “The president has taken a different approach.
“The president’s approach is to welcome the pope warmly to the United States and to eagerly anticipate, and participate in, a discussion about their shared values,” Earnest said. “There is so much about what Pope Francis has to say that is inclusive and reflects the kind of personal commitment that Pope Francis has to a wide range of issues, particularly when it comes to social justice.”
Earnest added that Francis’ words on issues such as poverty and equality have inspired people around the world. “And that’s why he is deserving of such a warm welcome,” the White House spokesman said.
Some Catholic members of Congress have criticized the pope’s teachings on issues such as climate change and say they would prefer him to steer clear of such topics.
“There is plenty of opportunity for others to inject politics into this situation … but that’s not what the president is interested in,” Earnest said about whether Obama would like the head of the Roman Catholic Church to avoid certain topics.
