In a historic address before a joint meeting of Congress -- the first for any pope -- Pope Francis called upon lawmakers to participate in efforts to address climate change and overall "environmental degradation."
While not the central theme of his address, the prominent mention of environmental issues in this particular setting was noteworthy.
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Climate change is a highly contentious issue on Capitol Hill, since a large number of Republicans, mainly in the House, deny the mainstream scientific findings on global warming, or otherwise doubt the wisdom of policy solutions to address the issue. Legislation to reduce planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions have gone nowhere in recent years, and even failed to pass when Democrats controlled both the House and Senate during President Obama's first term. Instead, the Obama administration has circumvented Congress by implementing emissions cuts via executive actions, such as rolling out controversial new EPA climate rules.
In his first remarks on American soil on Wednesday, Francis explicitly endorsed the Obama administration's air pollution plans.
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Francis called upon Congress and the American people to engage in creating a "culture of care" for the poor and for the environment, citing his 180-page letter to bishops, known as an encyclical, which was released in June.
As he did in the encyclical, Francis conspicuously cited "human activity" as the leading cause of environmental degradation.
"I am convinced that we can make a difference and I have no doubt that the United States – and this Congress – have an important role to play," Francis said. He called for an effort to "redirect our steps" in a way that would "avert the most serious effects of the environmental deterioration caused by human activity."
Unlike how some critics have charged, Francis seemed to praise capitalism so long as it benefits the common good. "Business is a noble vocation, directed to producing wealth and improving the world," he said. "It can be a fruitful source of prosperity for the area in which it operates, especially if it sees the creation of jobs as an essential part of its service to the common good."
He said "courageous actions and strategies" are needed to implement "a culture of care" for the earth and combating poverty while protecting nature. He also spoke of the value of U.S. research on environmental issues from academic and federal institutions.
In response to the pope's speech, Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said Francis' remarks should encourage congressional climate deniers to revisit their views on this issue.
"In giving voice to the moral urgency of caring for God’s creation, His Holiness cut through the barricade of spin and propaganda that has long surrounded Congress on climate change to deliver a message that many of us badly needed to hear: climate change is real and we cannot wait any longer to act," Whitehouse said in a statement. The senator is no stranger to this issue, having given more than 100 Senate floor speeches on global warming.
Francis is scheduled to address the United Nations on Friday, where he will speak about the sustainable development goals, which involve a host of his priorities including poverty alleviation and environmental progress. He may make more extended remarks on climate change during that speech.