Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., so far seems to be alone when it comes to his decision to boycott Pope Francis’ speech to a joint session of Congress because of the pontiff’s support for action on climate change.
Gosar said last week he’d skip the speech because the pope has started to take on political issues.
“If the pope stuck to standard Christian theology, I would be the first in line. If the pope spoke out with moral authority against violent Islam, I would be there cheering him on. If the pope urged the western nations to rescue persecuted Christians in the Middle East, I would back him wholeheartedly. But when the pope chooses to act and talk like a leftist politician, then he can expect to be treated like one,” Gosar wrote in an op-ed on Townhall.com, a conservative website.
According to Gosar’s press secretary Steven Smith, other House members told Gosar they supported his stance and told him that they too would not be attending Francis’ speech. However, they wished to remain anonymous, and so far none have made any public announcement that they will be joining Gosar in the boycott.
The pope landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday, and as of then, there were no public signs that Gosar would have any company during his boycott of Francis’ speech to Congress on Thursday.
