Congressman from Arizona to boycott Pope Francis’ speech

PHOENIX — A Catholic Arizona politician will be boycotting Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Capitol Hill after learning that climate change could be on the agenda.

U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Arizona) posted his reason to his Facebook page but before that had written an op-ed piece for a conservative website detailing why he was skipping the pontiff’s address to Congress.

Here's why I am boycotting Pope Francis’ address to Congress: http://t.co/UFJR3cSx8m @townhallcom

— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) September 18, 2015

Gosar wrote that he had been excited about the visit until he learned of the possibility the pope would push for the world to commit to dealing with climate change.

If the Pope urged the Western nations to rescue persecuted Christians in the Middle East, I would back him wholeheartedly. But when the Pope chooses to act and talk like a leftist politician, then he can expect to be treated like one.

The pope will be touring part of the East Coast during this six-day trip to America. He will arrive in the Washington, D.C. area Tuesday afternoon and speak to Congress on Thursday.

A spokesman for the congressman said in a statement:

Congressman Gosar attempted to schedule a brief meeting with the Pope or with Vatican officials to convey his concerns before next Thursday’s address but was unable to secure a meeting. Congressman Gosar would absolutely reconsider attending the address if there is confirmation from the Vatican stating the focus of the Pope’s address is on advocating for religious tolerance and the sanctity of life, not climate change.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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