Politicians from across Connecticut have been listening to the message of Pope Francis this week and now they're reacting to a world leader whose message seeks to avoid the partisanship endemic to Washington, D.C.
Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty was there as Pope Francis addressed Congress, and she said that for today at least, the partisan clouds enveloping Washington, D.C. politics lifted.
"It felt really good to be in a place where people were being called upon to be their best selves," Esty said. "To be reconnected with what called them to public service in the first place. So I hope that spirit of cooperation and a renewed commitment to work on behalf of those who count on us to do everything we can -- I hope that spirit will carry through."
Senator Chris Murphy said he's not sure Pope Francis' speech will be enough for politicians to break their partisan gridlock, "but to the extent that he really inspires his followers all across the country to political action, that may make a difference," he said.
"To me, the important thing is that this man was really able to cut across every line. Demographically. Politically. Socially. Economically. Racially," said Monsignor Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown. Weiss was Representative Elizabeth Esty's guest at the Pope's speech. "When you're in his presence, there is no such thing as stereotype and there is no such thing as prejudice. He really has the ability to speak to the whole person, the full person and I think -- unless we start respecting that in each other, I don't know where we'll be headed as a country."
Weiss said as he heads back to Newtown from D.C., witnessing Francis' speech today "could give him homilies for the next year and a half."
WAMC's Brian Shields contributed to this report.
