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| Pope urges 'humane' US migrant response | Pope urges 'humane' US migrant response |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Pope Francis has told the US Congress that the US must see migrants as "persons" and not as "numbers". | Pope Francis has told the US Congress that the US must see migrants as "persons" and not as "numbers". |
| Speaking to a rare joint session, the Pope said immigrants should be treated "with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated". | Speaking to a rare joint session, the Pope said immigrants should be treated "with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated". |
| In the same address, the pontiff renewed his call for ending the death penalty, and for better treatment of the poor and disadvantaged. | In the same address, the pontiff renewed his call for ending the death penalty, and for better treatment of the poor and disadvantaged. |
| He was warmly greeted by 500 lawmakers, justices and officials. | He was warmly greeted by 500 lawmakers, justices and officials. |
| After entering the chamber to thunderous applause, he said the world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since World War Two, and noted the immense challenges that the crisis presents. | After entering the chamber to thunderous applause, he said the world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since World War Two, and noted the immense challenges that the crisis presents. |
| But he drew particular attention to the movement of migrants from Central America to the United States in search of a better life - a reference which drew a standing ovation. | But he drew particular attention to the movement of migrants from Central America to the United States in search of a better life - a reference which drew a standing ovation. |
| "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 we can to their situation," he said. | "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 we can to their situation," he said. |
| For years, hopes of wide-reaching immigration reform have been dashed by political disagreements in Washington. | For years, hopes of wide-reaching immigration reform have been dashed by political disagreements in Washington. |
| And President Barack Obama's attempt to allow 11 million undocumented immigrants to avoid deportation has been stalled by a legal challenge. | And President Barack Obama's attempt to allow 11 million undocumented immigrants to avoid deportation has been stalled by a legal challenge. |
| Also in the speech: | Also in the speech: |
| Analysis: Caroline Wyatt, BBC religious affairs correspondent | Analysis: Caroline Wyatt, BBC religious affairs correspondent |
| It was impossible from this speech to categorise the Pope as left or right, as so many have sought to before he arrived. | It was impossible from this speech to categorise the Pope as left or right, as so many have sought to before he arrived. |
| There was something for everyone, Democrat and Republican alike, as he called on America to put an end to the death penalty - a cause for the left - and defended all life as sacred, a rallying call for the anti-abortion right. | There was something for everyone, Democrat and Republican alike, as he called on America to put an end to the death penalty - a cause for the left - and defended all life as sacred, a rallying call for the anti-abortion right. |
| That was a sentiment greeted with loud cheers by Republicans opposing laws on family planning that currently threaten to gridlock the US government. | That was a sentiment greeted with loud cheers by Republicans opposing laws on family planning that currently threaten to gridlock the US government. |
| Above all, Pope Francis in the US has challenged his audiences to think, and to cast aside ideological divisions in favour of unity and mercy - to reflect on how to help the poor and those without. | Above all, Pope Francis in the US has challenged his audiences to think, and to cast aside ideological divisions in favour of unity and mercy - to reflect on how to help the poor and those without. |
| This is a Pope that all sides are keen to claim as their own, but he remains hard to pigeonhole, as he went on to eat a meal not with the political elite but with the poor and the homeless who are ever present here, in the capital of the world's richest nation. | This is a Pope that all sides are keen to claim as their own, but he remains hard to pigeonhole, as he went on to eat a meal not with the political elite but with the poor and the homeless who are ever present here, in the capital of the world's richest nation. |
| Then, he left in his small car that makes a big point about the environment, showing that sometimes, actions can speak louder than words. | Then, he left in his small car that makes a big point about the environment, showing that sometimes, actions can speak louder than words. |
| The pontiff also highlighted the work of several famous Americans including Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, and said even amid conflict they provide inspiration. | The pontiff also highlighted the work of several famous Americans including Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, and said even amid conflict they provide inspiration. |
| After finishing with the words "God bless America", the Pope received a prolonged standing ovation. | After finishing with the words "God bless America", the Pope received a prolonged standing ovation. |
| But there was some dissent from presidential candidates. | But there was some dissent from presidential candidates. |
| Shortly after the address, Republican Senator Ted Cruz said he disagreed with the Pope about the death penalty, saying it was "a recognition of the preciousness of human life". | Shortly after the address, Republican Senator Ted Cruz said he disagreed with the Pope about the death penalty, saying it was "a recognition of the preciousness of human life". |
| Four Americans praised by Francis: | Four Americans praised by Francis: |
| The 78-year-old Argentine pontiff then appeared on a balcony at the Capitol and spoke in Spanish to thousands gathered on the West Lawn, and asked Christians and non-Christians alike to pray for him. | The 78-year-old Argentine pontiff then appeared on a balcony at the Capitol and spoke in Spanish to thousands gathered on the West Lawn, and asked Christians and non-Christians alike to pray for him. |
| After leaving Washington, the Pope flew to New York. During a service at the city's St Patrick's Cathedral he expressed his "sentiments of closeness" with Muslims following the stampede that killed at least 717 pilgrims at the Hajj in Mecca earlier on Thursday. | |
| On Friday he will address the UN General Assembly, visit the 9/11 Memorial and celebrate Mass at Madison Square Garden. | On Friday he will address the UN General Assembly, visit the 9/11 Memorial and celebrate Mass at Madison Square Garden. |
| The Pope is on his first official visit to the US and has sought to bring Catholics back to the Church with a more inclusive message. He has drawn massive crowds. | The Pope is on his first official visit to the US and has sought to bring Catholics back to the Church with a more inclusive message. He has drawn massive crowds. |
| Five tricky issues for the Pope in the US | Five tricky issues for the Pope in the US |
| Are you in Washington DC, New York or Philadelphia? Are you planning on seeing the pontiff? | Are you in Washington DC, New York or Philadelphia? Are you planning on seeing the pontiff? |
| Share your pictures with us, email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Share your pictures with us, email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or comment here: | Or comment here: |