DeLauro Statement on the Inauguration of Pope Francis I
WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) releasedthe following statement today as the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bargoglio wasinstalled as the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. DeLaurowas at the Vatican for the papal inauguration as part of a congressionaldelegation representing the United States.
"I was honored to be a part of today's historic ceremony,which was a beautiful and moving occasion. I was personally inspired as PopeFrancis, like his namesake Saint Francis of Assissi, expressed his commitmentto renewing the Church's emphasis on helping the least fortunate in society.This is particularly important as people everywhere continue to struggle againstworldwide hunger and poverty.
"This is a time of celebration and I join Catholicsworldwide in welcoming His Holiness Pope Francis I to his new role as theleader of our Church."