Views mixed on pope speech before Congress: Your Say

Pope Francis will speak to Congress on Sept. 24 during his first papal visit to the U.S. Letter to the editor:

In Friday's publication, we learned that Pope Francis will be addressing our Congress in September ("Pope Francis to address Congress").

Why? We don't need a pope to address a governmental gathering of politicians. We elected these people to obey our laws, respect our Constitution and protect our America, not to listen to a pope orate on his ideas for America.

I suggest this man address the people who believe and trust his words and leave the rest of us alone.

Dottie Taylor; Conroe, Texas

Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

The pope should not be allowed to address the U.S. Congress. If he does, then all church leaders should be allowed to address Congress: Methodist, Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Jewish, Mormons and more.

— Kap Pogopolo

I have a feeling Pope Francis will be saying some pretty groundbreaking things. I am looking forward to it.

— Steve Casper

I hope the pope chastises the Republicans for denying the middle class and the poor benefits that only the wealthy receive.

— Marvin Myszka

Wow! I can't wait for his address. I wonder if liberals will choose not to attend the speech of this man of faith as some have chosen to skip the speech of Israel's leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, who also was invited to speak before Congress.

— Robert Phallan