Pope Francis Fires Back at Republicans' Rude Remarks & Approves Obama's Climate Change Plan

Prior to Pope Francis' visit to the United States, Republicans already vented out negative feelings for the Catholic leader. Rep. Paul Gosar, in particular, outright announced that he intended to boycott the Pope's joint session of Congress scheduled for this Thursday, September 24, 2015.

In our previous article, Gosar called the Pope a "leftist" politician with socialist views. Gosar, along with other Catholic Republicans, believe that the pontiff should stick to religious issues when addressing the public and keep the political issues to politicians.  

Showing great tolerance and control, Pope Francis addressed the rude comments of Gosar and his fellow Republicans, while on root to the United States, reports The Week.

"I am certain that I have never said anything beyond what is in the social doctrine of the church. Maybe I have given an impression of being a little bit to the left, [but that is a mistaken interpretation,]" said the pontiff to reporters, who were traveling with him on the plane headed to the U.S."

"If I have to recite the Creed, I'm ready," the Pope said jokingly.  

This Wednesday, September 23, Pope Francis spent his first full day in the U.S. and visited the White House. Further antagonizing the conservative Republicans, the pontiff spoke openly about world challenges like climate change, income inequality and even immigration.

According to CNN, the Pope believes that the above-mentioned challenges are moral issues, not political. He adds that developed countries, such as the United States, have a responsibility to fight against these challenges and find a resolution to the problems. 

"I would like all men and women of goodwill in this great nation to support the efforts of the international community to protect the vulnerable in our world and to stimulate integral and inclusive models of development," said Pope Francis.  

The Vatican head also approved of Obama's actions to fight against climate change and fixing the strained relationship between Cuba and the United States. He also indirectly addressed the immigration issue by pointing out that he, himself was born of immigrant parents.  

On the other hand, the Pope did seem to side with the Republicans with the issue of same-sex marriage. UPI explains that the pontiff is against same-sex marriage to the relief of conservative Catholics.

According to the Pope, society should be "tolerant and inclusive" when it comes to same-sex couples, but reminds the American public to respect the religious freedoms of American Catholics.