[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 440 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 440

    Congratulating Pope Francis on his election and recognizing his 
                 inspirational statements and actions.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 11, 2013

Mr. Larson of Connecticut submitted the following resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Congratulating Pope Francis on his election and recognizing his 
                 inspirational statements and actions.

Whereas on March 13, 2013, Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, 
        Argentina was elected Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church;
Whereas his election marked the first time a Pope from the Americas has been 
        selected;
Whereas he is the first Jesuit to become Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church;
Whereas he took the papal name of Francis, becoming the first pope to take the 
        name of St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his devotion to 
        humility and the poor;
Whereas he has demonstrated his humility by choosing not to live in the lavish 
        Apostolic Palace, living instead with the clergy and lay people in the 
        Vatican guesthouse;
Whereas on March 28, 2013, he broke from tradition during the washing of feet, 
        when he washed the feet of 12 criminals, including two women, becoming 
        the first pope to include women in the rite;
Whereas on November 6, he displayed his charity by caressing a man with severe 
        disfigurement, drawing comparisons to the actions of his namesake, St. 
        Francis, whose kiss of a leper forever changed his life by solidifying 
        his commitment to the poorest among us;
Whereas when asked to describe himself during an interview with a Jesuit 
        magazine, he replied ``I am a sinner'';
Whereas his emphasis on humanitarian efforts to alleviate suffering serves as an 
        inspiration to Congress and all Americans;
Whereas his humility, his commitment to economic justice and improving the lives 
        of the poor, and his outreach to individuals from all walks of life have 
        been universally praised and are living examples of Jesus Christ's 
        message; and
Whereas his call to end inequality has echoed across the globe and brought 
        millions together in solidarity: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates Pope 
Francis on his election and recognizes his inspirational statements and 
actions.
                                 <all>