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SALT LAKE CITY — Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, is using Pope Francis' visit and his words on religious freedom to call out President Barack Obama.
In a White House speech Wednesday, Pope Francis called that freedom "one of America's most precious possessions."
"And, as my brothers, the United States bishops, have reminded us, all are called to be vigilant, precisely as good citizens, to preserve and defend that freedom from everything that would threaten or compromise it."
Hatch, in an opinion piece in the online Independent Review Journal, said Obama should listen.
While the White House promotes efforts to protect religious minorities in the Middle East and South and Central Asia and international religious freedom, it fails to mention the importance of religious liberty in the United States, he wrote.
Hatch wrote that he understands and appreciates that the president recognizes religious liberty as important to the American ideal, but he celebrates the country's success in safeguarding it prematurely.
"Instead, the president should heed Pope Francis' challenge to be vigilant, as we all ought to be, to preserve and defend religious freedom 'from everything that would threaten or compromise it' abroad and at home," the senator wrote.
Hatch, president pro tempore of the Senate, was part of the procession Thursday that led the pope into the House chamber to speak before a joint session of Congress. As the pope arrived in Washington on Tuesday, Hatch on the Senate floor gave the first of eight speeches he intends to give on religious liberty.
In his speech to Congress, Pope Francis hit matters that largely appeal to liberals, including defense of immigration, endorsing environmental legislation and abolishing the death penalty. He also touched on more conservative issues such as religious freedom, his concern for the family and preservation of life at "every stage of development."
"He covered the whole gamut, from the left to the right," Hatch said afterward.
On religion, the pope said various denominations have greatly contributed to building and strengthening society the United States.
"It is important that today, as in the past, the voice of faith continue to be heard, for it is a voice of fraternity and love, which tries to bring out the best in each person and in each society," he said.
Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, said the pope's speech was different than ones typically delivered in Congress, which tend to be about policy and are directed at lawmakers.
"But the pope was just so well-spoken, he was so soft-spoken. You could tell that he was speaking to our hearts, not as legislators but as people, and his message was for the American people," she said on KSL Newsradio's "Doug Wright Show."
"I think he was talking to our souls," she said.
Love said there was a difference between what he was asking Congress to do and what he was asking people to do.
"Government isn't a compassionate institution. Everything they do is by force. But people are compassionate, people are the ones that go out and make those choices to change a life," she said.
Love added she was most struck by Pope Francis quoting Abraham Lincoln saying the country will have a "new birth of freedom" and saying that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their dream.
Hatch, who had a chance to interact with Pope Francis as part of the congressional welcoming group, described him as a humble, down-to-earth leader. "All I can say is he's a very simple, very wonderful, very intellectually profound man," he said noting the pope got into a "humble" Fiat as he left.
"I thought he shared a generally very good, strong pro-family type of message," Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, said. "I think his message about the strength of a family and the need for a family was really good."
It is important that today, as in the past, the voice of faith continue to be heard, for it is a voice of fraternity and love, which tries to bring out the best in each person and in each society.
–Sen. Orrin Hatch
Pope Francis said the family is "threatened perhaps as never before, from within and without."
"Fundamental relationships are being called into question, as is the very basis of marriage and the family. I can only reiterate the importance and, above all, the richness and the beauty of family life," he said.
Chaffetz said the pope's words overall are cause for reflection.
"Even though I'm not Catholic, I did appreciate hearing from the pope and his perspective. I don't necessarily agree with everything that he has said," the congressman said.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said he appreciated the pope's humble plea for people to come together and lift the most vulnerable.
"And it is time for this generation to do for the next generation what the previous generation did for them," Lee said. "From the poor to the immigrant, from the unborn to the family, we must enact policies to lift them all."
Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, said the pope provides strength and inspiration to people around the world.
"In a city and institution that is far too often overrun with partisanship, it's refreshing to unite for the visit of Pope Francis," he said.
