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Trentonian | Rep. Chris Smith leads Congressional delegation to Pope Francis' installation

March 16, 2013

Rep. Chris Smith leads Congressional delegation to Pope Francis’ installation
Trentonian | March 16, 2013

WASHINGTON — Representative Chris Smith (R-4th) will be headed to the Vatican as the head of the Official Congressional Delegation on Sunday.

Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a noted leader on many international human rights efforts, was chosen by House Speaker John Boehner to head the bi-partisan delegation.

“On behalf of Speaker Boehner and the entire U.S. House of Representatives, I will convey our deepest respect, congratulations and best wishes to Pope Francis on his installation Tuesday and offer our earnest prayers for his mission to the world,” said Smith, who chairs the House Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations Subcommittee. “Holy, wise, empathetic and humble, Pope Francis radiates Christ to a world absolutely yearning for truth, clarity, mercy and higher meaning,” said Smith well known for his Catholicism.

Of the new pope, Smith believes that he will expand upon the work of his predecessors.

“The new pope builds on the extraordinary work of his immediate predecessors — Blessed Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI,” Smith said.

While in Rome, Smith said he hopes to meet with Vatican officials to discuss human rights issues, including human trafficking, religious freedom and culture of life issues.

“I’m pleased Congressman Smith and this bipartisan group will join the vice president in communicating the prayers and warm regards of the American people to Pope Francis as he begins his papacy,” said Speaker Boehner of his choice of Smith to head the delegation.

The delegation will fly on commercial flights in compliance with Boehner’s directive that military air transportation be suspended with sequestration in effect.

The delegation will include Representatives Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Sean Duffy (R-WI), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Jim Langevin (D-RI), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA).

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