Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) released the following statement on today's historic address of Pope Francis to a Joint Session of Congress:

    Pope Francis’ powerful address to Congress invites us to selfless service, love, reconciliation and dialogue.

    The Holy Father quoted Jesus’ Golden Rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” and said it compels us to “protect and defend human life at every stage of development,” including the weakest and most vulnerable—from unborn children to refugees. Pointing to the relief of Moses in the House of Representatives, Pope Francis reminded lawmakers, “You are asked to protect, by means of the law, the image and likeness fashioned by God on every human face.”

    Ominously, he stressed that the family is “threatened, perhaps as never before” and calls us to recognize the “richness and beauty of family life.”

    Underscoring the present day risk to religious freedom in America—and worldwide—the Pope noted how “important” that the “voice of faith continue to be heard.” Importantly, Pope Francis categorically condemned violence in all of its manifestations, including such acts committed in the name of religion.

    And as author of America’s landmark anti-human trafficking law—the Trafficking Victims Protection Act—I am deeply encouraged by his call to “eliminate new global forms of slavery”—a cause he has made a core part of his Pontificate.

    In his environmental encyclical, “Laudato Si,” Pope Francis reminds us that—combined with our concern with the environment—human beings possess a “particular dignity above all creatures” that “inculcates esteem for each person and respect for others.” He expresses the need to “genuinely teach the importance of concern for other vulnerable beings, however troublesome or inconvenient they may be” and questions how this is possible if collectively we “fail to protect a human embryo, even when its presence is uncomfortable and creates difficulties.”