Pope Francis on Thursday spoke about many topics during an official visit to the United States, touching on political, economical and social issues. Standing before Congress, Pope Francis issued a ringing call to action on behalf of immigrants, urging lawmakers to embrace "the stranger in our midst" as he became the first pontiff in history to address a joint meeting of the legislators. Referencing the migration crisis in Europe as well as the United States' own struggle with immigration from Latin America, Francis summoned lawmakers "to respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal." "We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best as we can to their situation," Francis urged. The Pope called for global vigilance against fundamentalism of all kinds, but warned a "delicate balance" must be struck between fighting extremists and preserving religious freedoms. "We know that no religion is immune from forms of individual delusion or ideological extremism. This means that we must be especially attentive to every type of fundamentalism, whether religious or of any other kind," the pope told U.S. lawmakers. "A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology or an economic system, while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellectual freedom and individual freedoms." Pope Francis praised the "courage and daring" required for adversaries to resume dialogue in a speech to the U.S. Congress Thursday, in a nod to recent overtures between Washington and its longtime foes, Cuba and Iran. Francis did not single out any country by name, but his remarks clearly were intended as encouragement for U.S. President Barack Obama's recent nuclear deal with Iran and rapprochement with Cuba. Both diplomatic initiatives have come under fire from U.S. conservatives both in Congress and on the Republican presidential campaign trail. "When countries which have been at odds resume the path of dialogue -- a dialogue which may have been interrupted for the most legitimate of reasons -- new opportunities open up for all," Francis said. "This has required, and requires, courage and daring, which is not the same as irresponsibility. A good political leader is one who, with the interests of all in mind, seizes the moment in a spirit of openness and pragmatism. "A good political leader always opts to initiate processes rather than possessing spaces," he said. Francis, who visited Havana before traveling to Washington for his first U.S. visit, served as a key intermediary in secret U.S.-Cuban contacts that led the two countries to restore diplomatic relations in July after more than 50 years of enmity. In Cuba, the Argentine-born pontiff stressed the need for reconciliation. The Vatican also has welcomed the nuclear deal reached in July between Iran and the world powers -- the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. It places curbs on Iran's nuclear program in return for a gradual lifting of international sanctions. Pope Francis touched on social issues, warning U.S. lawmakers that the institution of the family is under threat and young people are facing pressure not to start one. "How essential the family has been to the building of this country. And how worthy it remains of our support and encouragement," he said, receiving a standing ovation from a joint session of Congress. "Yet I cannot hide my concern for the family, which is threatened, perhaps as never before, from within and without." The comments are sure to please Republican lawmakers, many of whom opposed a recent Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage.
