Dozens of lawmakers urge House leaders to invite Pope Leo XIV to speak to Congress

House members from both parties asked Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to invite the first American-born pope to address a joint session early in the 120th Congress.Lawmakers called Leo XIV a "unifying force" and "sign of great pride."Letter predated midterms by four days; seven signers lost reelection, and Rep. Mike Thompson, who led the effort, is in a tight race.Pope Leo XIV shakes hands with and greets members of the press after an audience with thousands of journalists and media workers on May 12, 2025, at Paul VI Hall in Vatican City. | Getty Images/Christopher FurlongDozens of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are urging the leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives to invite Pope Leo XIV to speak to a joint session of the U.S. Congress next year. They described the pontiff as a “unifying force” and a “sign of great pride” because he is the first American-born pope. In a letter published Oct.

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