(VOVworld) – During his visit to the US, Pope Francis delivered a speech to the US Congress Thursday, calling on US legislators to overcome differences and solve current problems.

Pope Francis at the Capitol on Thursday told members of Congress that they must cooperate “generously for the common good” (Photo: NYT)

He challenged the US lawmakers on several issues, including economic inequality, climate change, the immigrant crisis, and poverty. He called on the US to welcome immigrants and refugees and called for an end to the arms trade. He said that US legislators play a key role in promoting “a culture of care” and “an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.”
Pope Francis is the first pontiff to address the US Congress and played a key role in the historic rapprochement between the US and Cuba. He will arrive in New York on Friday to attend the UN General Assembly’s 70^th session.