Senator Lankford Statement on Pope Francis Speech to Congress

WASHINGTON, DC— Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement on Pope Francis’ address to a Joint Session of Congress:

“Pope Francis’ first ever address before Congress was an historic event not just for our Catholic brothers and sisters, but for all Americans. I appreciate Pope Francis’ encouragement for us to learn from Biblical leaders as we engage one another in everyday life, as well as in our political discourse. Faith greatly contributes to the building and strengthening of society, and the Pope was right to remind us of that.

“I was grateful to hear Pope Francis talk about the value of defending life, the irreplaceable role of the family to a healthy society, and the importance of religious liberty. Our nation must preserve these values and boldly defend religious freedom, and learn again that the World is safer when we live our core values.”

Senator Lankford’s guest for today’s special session of Congress was Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, who was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as the fourth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma in December 2010.

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