GOP Rep. To Boycott Pope Address; Francis Talks Like ‘a Leftist Politician’

Access to Pope Francis’ address to Congress next week might be the hottest ticket in town, but Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) says he will not be attending due to the expected content of the progressive pontiff’s remarks.

“Media reports indicate His Holiness instead intends to focus the brunt of his speech on climate change — a climate that has been changing since first created in Genesis. More troubling is the fact that this climate change talk has adopted all of the socialist talking points, wrapped false science and ideology into ‘climate justice’ and is being presented to guilt people into leftist policies,” the Arizona lawmaker wrote in a Townhall op-ed titled “Why I Am Boycotting Pope Francis’ Address to Congress.”

Gosar, a Catholic and a conservative Republican, explained that while he was initially thrilled about the prospect of a papal visit — hoping the Pope would address religious freedom, the persecution of Christians, the horrific acts of ISIS, and take on Planned Parenthood — the Pope’s climate activism has dampened his enthusiasm.

“If the Pope stuck to standard Christian theology, I would be the first in line,” he wrote. “If the Pope spoke out with moral authority against violent Islam, I would be there cheering him on. 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.”

According to Gosar, the planet’s climate has been changing since creation, regardless of man’s actions. He writes that the Pope’s fight against it should be relegated to his personal time. Meanwhile, he argued, the Pope should pursue more pressing issues.

“So at this pivotal moment in world history, His Holiness, Pope Francis, is intending to spend the majority of his time on one of the world’s greatest stages focusing on climate change. I have both a moral obligation and leadership responsibility to call out leaders, regardless of their titles, who ignore Christian persecution and fail to embrace opportunities to advocate for religious freedom and the sanctity of human life,” Gosar wrote.

Given his opposition to the Pope’s climate agenda, Gosar concluded by saying he will not be attending but expressed hope that the pontiff may change his mind.

“It is my hope that Pope Francis realizes his time is better spent focusing on matters like religious tolerance and the sanctity of all life,” he wrote. “As the leader of the Catholic Church, and as a powerful voice for peace throughout the world, His Holiness has a real opportunity to change the climate of slaughter in the Middle East… not the fool’s errand of climate change.”