Editorial: Pope Francis set for historic U.S. visit

Pope Francis is scheduled later this month to make a historic visit to the United States. On Sept. 24, he will indeed make history as the first pontiff to address a joint session of Congress.
The Catholic faithful are looking forward to seeing and hearing Pope Francis during his first visit to the United States.
Some conservatives and nativists are wondering why the heck House Speaker John Boehner invited this pontiff, who some consider to be a left-leaning religious leader.
His two predecessors - John Paul II and Benedict XVI - were more philosophers and theologians. On the other hand, Francis is more direct and speaks more plainly.
Francis also is not afraid to speak to such topics as capitalism, immigration, and climate change. And he is not afraid to take action, like his recent announcement simplifying the marriage annulment process within the Catholic Church.
In the midst of the 2015 runup to next year’s presidential election, what Francis says and how the various presidential candidate’s response will have impact. While the pontiff unlikely has a favorite, the topics he speaks to will have an impact.
Francis has become a global sensation since taking office in March 2013, following Benedict XVI’s surprise retirement. His refreshing openness, piety and informality have endeared him to church members and others around the world.
There are two political sectors to the Catholic faithful, with white Catholics trending Republican and Hispanic Catholics trending Democrat. Presidential candidates face the same divide.
It is unknown whether Francis will speak to such controversial topics as abortion, Planned Parenthood or the Iran nuclear deal. Or will he focus on more traditional topics, such as care for the poor, the importance of family or the death penalty.
We can expect that Francis has a message for America, those of the Catholic faith and our country’s politicians. Exactly what those points will be, remain to be seen.
There is political suspense concerning the pending papal visit. However, for the majority of the Catholic faithful and the public, many are just looking forward to watching and hearing Francis here.