The body of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Photo: Stefano Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images
Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) are sending bipartisan delegations with a total of 15 lawmakers to attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome on Saturday.
Why it matters: The House delegation is being led by Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), the highest-ranking Catholic in the chamber. Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) is leading the Senate group.
The House delegation traveling this weekend also includes:
- Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.)
- Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)
- Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.)
- Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.)
- Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.)
- Rep. John Joyce (R-Pa.)
- Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.)
- Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.)
- Rep. Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.)
The Senate delegation:
- Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)
- Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)
- Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.)
- Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.)
What they’re saying: “Pope Francis’ profound commitment to celebrate the Risen Lord, even on the day before his death, and share God’s grace with people from all walks of life inspired many around the world,” Collins said in a statement. “He truly embodied God’s boundless love for us all.”
- “As a lifelong Catholic, I am honored to represent the House in paying our respects and praying for the soul of Pope Francis, as Catholics all around the world grieve, and as Church leaders prepare to elect a new pope in the coming weeks,” Scalise said.
- Said Pelosi, the former House speaker: “It is my honor to be a part of the congressional delegation attending the funeral of His Holiness to help convey the thoughts, prayers and deep sympathies of the American people on his passing.”
The intrigue: There was some scrambling this week among Catholic lawmakers — House members in particular — to fill the limited spots on the CODEL.
- One senior House Democrat who ultimately didn’t make the list despite expressing interest in going, conceded to Axios on Monday: “I don’t think I’d make the cut.”
