Stupak to welcome Pope Benedict

NEWS RELEASE

CONGRESSMAN BART STUPAK 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

************************* Stupak to attend events welcoming Pope Benedict XVI on first official U.S. visit

WASHINGTON - (April 15) - U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) on Wednesday will attend a White House ceremony welcoming His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on his first visit to the United States since being named Pope three years ago.

Stupak will also attend a birthday reception for Pope Benedict XVI at the Italian Embassy on Wednesday evening.

The Pope will celebrate his 81st birthday on the first of his four-day visit to Washington.

On Thursday morning, Stupak will attend a mass celebrated by the Pope at Nationals Park.

"It is an honor to be a part of Pope Benedict XVI's first official U.S. visit," Stupak said. "I was fortunate enough to be part of a small congressional delegation to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II, where Pope Benedict XVI - at that time still a cardinal - delivered the homily. I look forward to his visit and to hearing from him again, this time as Pope."

The Pope plans to spend four days in Washington before traveling to New York to hold services, address the United Nations and visit a synagogue.

On Friday he will make a major speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York - his first such address.

He is expected to focus on globalization, poverty, the environment and global warming.

In Washington, he plans to discuss abortion, gay marriage and stem-cell research with President Bush and make clear his opposition to the war in Iraq.

"I look forward to hearing Pope Benedict XVI's message," Stupak said. "He has spent his three years as Pope spreading a message of reconciliation, compassion and peace. This is a message that resonates with Americans of all faiths, especially in this time of global conflict."

Background

Stupak is an eight-term pro-life Democrat whose strong Catholic faith stems from his parents.

Stupak is an active member and past president of the House Congressional Prayer Breakfast, the National Prayer Breakfast and a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Menominee, Michigan.

*************************