The boycott is another sign that conservatives are less than thrilled about some of the Pope's left-leaning stances on global warming, capitalism, immigration, and social issues such as abortion and homosexuality. The Pope has issued a call for global action against climate change, and lashed out at big business and high finance for plundering the planet.
Arizona congressman Paul Gosar, a Republican member of the House of Representatives, will boycott Pope Francis's speech to Congress next week because of the pontiff's push to combat climate change, CNBC reports.
In a column on Townhall.com, Gosar, himself a Catholic, has accused the Pope of choosing "to act and talk like a leftist politician":
"If the Pope wants to devote his life to fighting climate change then he can do so in his personal time. But to promote questionable science as Catholic dogma is ridiculous."
Pope Francis, who has never set foot in America, is due to address a joint session of Congress on Thursday morning. He will be the first Pope ever to do so. He arrives in Washington on Tuesday following three days in Cuba.
Some Catholic groups oppose Gosar's position, according to CNBC:
Christopher Hale, executive director of the Washington-based Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, said it was "extremely disappointing" and Mr Gosar had "disrespected" millions of Catholics. "We pray that he changes his mind and listens with an open heart to the inspiring leader of our Catholic Church," he said
