Fleischmann Leads Bipartisan Letter to House Leadership Inviting Pope Leo XIV to Address Congress
Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) sent a letter today to Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries asking the bipartisan leaders to invite His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born Pope in history, to address a Joint Session of Congress.
“The election of Pope Leo XIV to the papacy is a historic and momentous occasion not just for Catholics across the United States but for all Americans regardless of faith or denomination. An address to Congress and the American People by Pope Leo XIV would serve as a powerful reminder to our shared commitments to peace, service to others, and moral leadership and also reaffirm the deep and longstanding ties between the United States of America and The Holy See,” said Congressman Fleischmann. “I thank my bipartisan colleagues and Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries for joining me in this united effort to honor and celebrate the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s historic papacy.”
A copy of Rep. Fleischmann’s letter can be found HERE.
Full text of the Congressman’s letter is below.
Dear Mr. Speaker and Mr. Minority Leader.
As you know, the recent election of the first American Pope is a moment of profound historic significance for the Catholic Church and our nation. As members of Congress, we are honored to witness this remarkable milestone, and we respectfully urge you to extend a formal invitation to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to address a Joint Session of Congress.
Pope Leo XIV’s life and ministry, shaped in part by his experiences in our own nation, equip him with a voice that speaks not only to Catholics, but to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
During a time when our nation needs unifying and the world faces severe humanitarian crises, an address by his Holiness would serve as a powerful reminder of our shared commitments to peace, service to others, and moral leadership. It would also affirm the deep and longstanding ties between the United States, The Holy See, and the global Catholic community.
Thank you for your continued leadership and your consideration of this request, which would not only honor the historic nature of His Holiness’ papacy but the ideals that bind us as a nation.
Sincerely,
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