Smith To Attend Pope’s Investiture

New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith (R) will lead a Congressional delegation to the investiture of Pope Francis at the Vatican.

The representative from the 4th Congressional district will be joined by Vice President Joseph Biden for Wednesday's event.

It is an honor to lead this bipartisan group of House members to this international event,” said Smith, who chairs the House Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations Subcommittee, in a press release.  “The world is a challenging place, in terms of wars and peace, basic human rights and freedoms. The Holy Father has a major role to play in global affairs. I wish him well as he begins his pontificate and am honored to be a part of this historic occasion. The Pope is more than a spiritual leader for the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, he is an inspiration of holiness and goodness, and above all, the faithful proclamation of the Gospel.”

The Investiture is a formal ceremony in which Pope Francis will take office in front of many world political and church leaders.

Smith hopes to meet with New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley during his visit as well as several Vatican officials.

Reps. 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) will all be part of the Congressional delegation as selected by House Speaker John Boehner.