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Pope Francis to Address Congress. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired September 24, 2015 - 08:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[08:31:20] CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: All right, just an hour and a half from now Pope Francis is going make history, addressing Congress. The first Pope ever to do it. I've got a great live picture for you. This is where the Pope is going to be departing from in about half an hour or so, we believe. Let's now show where the dignitaries, and we're going to have quite an array of them, we'll list them for you as we get closer, they'll be waiting for him. And then we have the throngs, the merry many who are here to see Pope Francis, Catholic believer and non-believers alike. The man is about his message as much as he is about his faith for the American audience right now. And all of this, of course, surrounding the big event, even the Vatican officials call this "the big speech" on the D.C. trip, and that is when Pope Francis addresses Congress.

We have Democratic Congressman Peter Welch from Vermont here this morning. He was afraid to come and take me on, so he had to bring his sister with him, Sister Maureen Welch, an Ursuline nun.

It's great to have you here always, congressman.

REP. PETER WELCH (D), VERMONT: It's great to be here. Thank you.

SISTER MAUREEN WELCH, URSULINE NUN: Thank you, Chris.

CUOMO: Sister, a pleasure. A pleasure.

So, he's coming. We have to be objective when we can, but we need not when it doesn't make any sense. For Catholics, this is a huge deal to have the head of our church as someone who the eyes of the world are upon to give a message to our Congress. Do you think that this is going to be a situation that rankles or do you believe that Francis in his tone alone will make it something that is digestible even if disagreed with?

P. WELCH: You know, I think it's transformative. We've got such conflict here. And what I've already seen with the Pope and his style, his manner, his gentle words, even when he speaks very bluntly about a controversial issue around here like climate change, is that he creates this aspiration in all of us to try to be more like him, to listen more than we talk. So that - I think it's tremendous.

CUOMO: Controversial for some. Those who want to accept the science that global change, of climate change, it's not so controversial. For the Pope, as a chemist, you know, it's not so controversial. The - what your brother's talking about in terms of the moment, our political discourse, yes, we have an adversarial system but so unrelentingly negative what's working with now. The Pope shows up. Catholics, you don't believe in coincidence. You believe things happen for a reason.

M. WELCH: For a reason, definitely.

CUOMO: Do you need the Pope here now and do you think he can help make the way we are dealing with each other better?

M. WELCH: I definitely think so because his whole message, he doesn't really care if you disagree with him or not. What he's inviting us to is really to enter into dialogue and to encounter people as - in situations as they are. And he is so accepting of each person and each situation and he shows us a way really to enter into the dialogues that we need at this time. Even yesterday he identified himself as a son of an immigrant, and so he immediately set the stage for the whole situation. Not just for climate change, but the whole question of immigration, not only in our own country but throughout the world.

CUOMO: Now we're talking about how some in Congress may not like what he has to say. Some in his own church may not like some of what he has to say.

M. WELCH: That's right.

CUOMO: It's amazing how many irons the pontiff has in the fire when he comes here. This is a known division, you can argue whether it's growing or not, within the catholic church about how Francis approaches the orthodoxy versus the focus of the faith. How do you see the division?

M. WELCH: Well, I love what Francis is doing because really what he is about is the message of Jesus and not so much the primacy in terms of the church, but really witnessing to God's love for all people. And that's - that's his message, and so accepting. And once you accept people as each person is, then people can enter into that dialogue that I was talking about. So it's - it's not - no, it's not hard and fast. You know, our faith is meant to grow and our faith is really meant to engage the discourse of today.

[08:35:27] CUOMO: You know, you're known as an interrupter. Not today. Not today.

P. WELCH: That's right. It's - there's six of us in the family, six kids in the family.

CUOMO: This is your big sister, though. She looks much younger than you, by the way.

P. WELCH: And she's got more authority. They do. I know. Maureen, you look good.

M. WELCH: Thanks.

CUOMO: Well, she's imbued with the spirit. You know what I mean? P. WELCH: That's right. That's true.

CUOMO: You're a politician. You know, this is what happens. You're actually 35 years young than -

M. WELCH: Well, now, now, now, listen, don't you think the Pope's a politician in the best sense of that word?

CUOMO: I know - well, I don't know that there is a best sense of the word right now given what's going on.

M. WELCH: Yes.

CUOMO: However, you know, it's such an interesting question. They say he shouldn't talk about politics. Stick to the catechism, stick to the religion. Chris Christie says he's not infallible when it comes - he's only infallible when it comes to religion, which was interesting. He's a catholic. He should know better. The Pope's not infallible when it comes to religion unless it's an ex-catholic (ph) teaching and they've only used it a handful of times, usually about Mary. So it was interesting to hear a catholic say that. But what the point is, is that, is this politics what he's talking about? Is it matters of faith? And does it matter?

P. WELCH: Yes, you know what, it's life. What he's seeing is there's enormous suffering talking about the immigrant crisis. He's seeing that the planet is in jeopardy. And it's the world we live in. And part of his faith that he gives to all of us, I think, is the confidence to engage in that, to try to face it, not deny it, and plunge in. And he doesn't - what I really admired about him is how non-judgmental he is. Here's a man of enormous conviction, enormous faith, and what he says is, who am I to judge? He is accepting. So -

CUOMO: And he said that, by the way, on a - on a very controversial issue within the American political system.

P. WELCH: That's right. And it's opening up space for us to listen more than talk. It's opening up space for us to work with people we disagree with to try to make some progress. It's about alleviating suffering, whether it's for the planet or for the poor people that abound in this world.

CUOMO: Someone said to me, I don't think of him as a Pope. Do you know what he is? He's a mediator. He's going to come in and he's going to be someone that both sides can agree is pushing them to talk and then you guys figure out what to do.

P. WELCH: Well, that - you know, that's exactly right.

M. WELCH: But I think - I think that's really what our faith is all about. It's not - the primacy isn't in dogma. The primacy is really in persons. And that's - and he's - he's calling us back, I think, to our deepest roots of - especially catholic social teaching as we grew up understanding it and living it. And that the faith and action - faith and justice go hand in hand.

CUOMO: Sister Maureen, thank you very much for being with us.

P. WELCH: Thank you.

CUOMO: Congressman Welch, what a pleasure.

M. WELCH: Thank you.

CUOMO: Enjoy the day.

P. WELCH: Yes, what a pleasure. Yes, thank you.

CUOMO: I like to see how intimidated you are (INAUDIBLE) your sister. It's like - it's not like that in my family.

All right, so Pope Francis is going to depart any moment and we're going to give it to you and we're going to show you what's going on around the U.S. Capitol, what he may say inside to those members of Congress in this historic speech. So stay with us.

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[08:40:08] ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Do you find yourself fidgeting a lot? It turns out it may lead to a longer life. In today's "New Day, New You," a study from the University of Leeds in England found - followed 12,000 women and researchers found that those who sat for several hours without fidgeting increased their chances of dying by 30 percent. As for those who consider themselves middle or high fidgeters, they saw no increased risk from sitting. Still, don't depend on drumming your fingers on your desk to prolong your life. Living a healthy lifestyle is really the key.

We'll be right back.

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MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Here with go with the five things to know for your new day and you can bet the Pope is at number one. In fact, crowds are gathering at the U.S. Capitol ahead of Pope Francis' historic speech to a joint meeting of Congress. You can see the crowds gathering there. Security is very tight. They're describing it as similar to an inauguration.

Earlier today, we spoke with Donald Trump on NEW DAY about his feud with Fox News. He says the network treats him unfairly. Meantime, a new Quinnipiac poll shows Trump holding his lead but dipping slightly. We asked him about that. He says he doesn't think that he's losing support.

More than 700 people are dead, more than 800 others injured during the Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca. Officials say a stampede broke out during a ritual known as stoning the devil.

Chinese President Xi Jinping heading to Washington this afternoon. He'll have a private meeting with President Obama. The White House says there will be a frank discussion about cyberhacking. The CEO of Volkswagen is out. He resigned following the company's

admission that millions of vehicles were rigged to pass emissions tests. The automaker plans to announce their new chief executive on Friday.

Those are your five things for now. You can always get more at newdaycnn.com for the latest.

All right, let's head back to Washington where I know that you're full of anticipation, Christopher.

CUOMO: Oh, boy, is this exciting. You are a witness to history today, my friends. The Pope is going to make history of his own. He's going to be the first pontiff to ever address a joint meeting of Congress. Mick was saying how this is like the security for an inauguration. Yes, times ten. Nobody who's worked in this city has ever seen crowds like this this soon. So much of the city locked down, but all the faithful and unfaithful alike are here to hear the Pope. We'll have a preview coming up.

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[08:47:55] CUOMO: So is the Pope going to be playing politics? Or is he simply going to be spreading the Catholic Church's message? Or is he just going to be dealing with what is life? As Congressman Wells just told us. That is the question that has Washington lawmakers on the edge of their seats today as they await the first ever joint address to Congress by a pontiff.

The Pope is certainly to weigh in on deeply divisive issues like global warming, immigration, traditional marriage. All topics he referenced at the Welcoming Ceremony Wednesday at the White House.

Joining us now is CNN political commentator and Jeb Bush Supporter, Ana Navarro and CNN political commentator and Democratic strategist, Donna Brazile.

Here is one thing I think everybody can agree with, Ana, that right now we could use any kind of positive message inserted into our political dialogue. True?

ANA NAVARRO, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, I can tell you that I think he's bringing an enormous amount of bipartisanship. We're talking here about whether he's this or he's that. And you know, I'm a Jeb Bush supporter. Donna is the vice chair of the DNC. But you know what? We're both Pope Francis supporters. And I think people need to stop looking at everything through a political spectrum.

He's the Pope, folks. He's the Pope. He's not running for president. He's not running for governor. He's not making an endorsement. He's coming not to push votes. He's coming to touch hearts and that is a genuine and huge difference. It is very different, for example, from when BiBi Netanyahu was last year which was the last very important address to Congress we all took a look at. He was pushing specific legislation -- CUOMO: Look what we're looking at here. You can keep talking. I just want people to know that Fiat that has become like its own celebrity in this Pope papal tour is outside. Obviously, they are getting ready to take the pontiff from where he stayed overnight to coming here, the dignitaries are going to meet him. But there it is. That little Fiat 500. It's actually supposedly a big Fiat. But keep going, Ana. Make your point.

NAVARRO: My point is if I was riding around in a Fiat, Chris, I think they would need the jaws of life to extricate me out.

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[08:50:01] CUOMO: If the Holy See can fit in there, you can fit in there. Donna, so we've been making a lot of presumptions about how, you know, if it's climate change, if it's the disparity between rich and poor, some Republicans will say stay out of it. Don't talk about capitalism and climate change, you are the Pope. But you know, those are political issues and you can have two sides on them at least. But then you have what the Democrats may be facing, which are moral issues within the Catholic teaching about the preservation of life and the rights of the unborn.

Oh, there he is. There is El Papa getting ready to leave. Coming down, looking good. Remember, you know, people were saying yesterday, oh, it looks like he has a little limp. It's true. The pontiff has a little case of sciatica. It flared up in Cuba. But they say he's fine and he's going to recover just fine and he's able to do everything he wants to do. And there it is. This is what makes this Pope so special to so many. He's reaching out, he's touching, he wants to be with the people, especially the least fortunate. But he is also going to talk to politicians as well.

DONNA BRAZILE, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Chris, you know -

CUOMO: Donna, go ahead, make your point.

BRAZILE: First of all, you talked about the moral issues and the moral dilemmas. But we believe that income inequality is a moral issue. I mean after all, the Gospel is about love. It is about making sure that those who are on the outskirts of hope feel that they have an opportunity to come back within the circle of hope. And I just believe that this Pope transcends all of this. He's really about the message of the Gospel that speaks to us to reach out to the least of these to ensure that we are our brother and sister's keeper.

So to the extent that there is a lot of partisanship and the poison of sometime the conversations we have about these really tough issues, the Pope is -- has said yesterday and he said repeatedly, he's here to give encouragement. He didn't say he was coming to endorse or demonize or do any of that. He's here to give us encouragement. And that is what makes all of us, whether we're Catholic -- even those without faith. But that is why he's here. And I support that.

CUOMO: No small irony that at a time when the two men atop the polls for the GOP are talking about the intolerance of Muslims and the justification for prejudice against Muslims, you have the head of the Catholic Church coming here saying, you know, no religion is immune to extremism and what we have to look at is not the separations, but to be more tolerant of people of different faiths. So certainly the timing of this moment is working very well to balance messages.

And there he is. Pope Francis getting ready to come here to the U.S. Capitol. He loves being with children. And children love being with him. He has made a point since he's been here to be with the less fortunate. He does not see himself as better than anyone else. He says call me a missionary of mercy. And an instruction of that will be today after his speech. There's a big lunch. Where is Pope Francis going to be? Feeding the homeless at Catholic Relief Services. He's not going to go to the big fancy lunch, he's going to go - and instead of eating lunch, he's going serve lunch. And there he is.

NAVARRO: And you know what, Chris, that image we're seeing right now I think is so significant because one of the things that this Pope is doing for the church is getting the young people back. Those kids that are there that he's touching and hugging and posing for selfies with right now, those kids have been waiting there for hours and hours and hours. Some of them since last night. And it is so refreshing to see that kind of youth and that energy coming back to the church.

CUOMO: Well he's got such a big smile on his face, Donna, when he does this stuff. We were very close to him yesterday and it was funny, people -- Look at this. Look at the embrace. You have to remember for a Catholic, this is - Yes, he is just a man. But he's a very special man. He's the leader of a billion Catholics and for so many he is the personification of the virtue that they hope to attain in their own lives.

You know, people were teasing me when he passed me yesterday. I just started screaming Papa Francisco! Papa Francisco! You know, your whole life as a Catholic you are raised to see this man as aspirational and he really lives up to those expectations in terms of what he says and how he says it, Donna.

NAVARRO: Chris, will you talk a minute about that moment when your eyes locked with him.

CUOMO: I was telling a joke to Ana last night that, you know, I said Papa Francisco, Papa Francisco and he looked my way and when our eyes met he winced because he's a man of such great virtue. But it was a really special moment.

BRAZILE: But you know, Chris, when you are born and raised in the Catholic Church and you're told at that early age, I know I was, to live by the example of Jesus. And all my life, all of my childhood, my adult life and of course, we've all tried to live that life, but when the Pope came out that day at the Vatican and said pray for me. And when he announced recently and he said over and over again, I'm a sinner. It just makes you feel like we're all on this journey, this pilgrimage and we can all do good with our lives. But he is such an incredible example to all of us. And his spirit, his openness, his heart, his reaching out, this is a Pope of the people and that is why we like to call him Papa Francisco. [08:55:22] NAVARRO: Well, he's not only a Pope -- He's a Pope of all

people in the sense that, you know, here in the United States there is a lot of lapsed Catholics, including people like me who consider themselves sinners who, you know, maybe don't agree with the church on all dogma. But this Pope has made us feel welcome. We can come back to the church. It is OK if we don't agree on a hundred percent, just, you know, as long as your heart is in the right place, it is OK for you to have a place in the pew.

CUOMO: And I think that even that is a demonstration of something that is a healthy reminder within our political dynamic right now. He is a Catholic with a big C. The denomination. But also with a small C. you know, small C catholic means the universality of faith and belief. And you don't have to be a believer to be a receiver of his message. Excuse the rhyme there. But you don't need it because his message isn't, and in the Bible it says, and in the Catholic teaching it tells us that. He's very light on that, especially on this trip. And what he's saying is look around you, see who you are. You are a nation of immigrants. You have always helped each other. The young and old. The brown and the white. You have always done that here. That's what's made you great.

All of America, and when he says that he means North and South and Central America, need to remember that and to be there for each other. The tolerance is an ecumenical one. It's universal. It's not just about what faith you are. And I think that, you know, maybe it is certainly a coincidence, but to be here at this moment as he gets into that Fiat and be here living small, as part of his instruction to the world to do more for those who have less, is going to be met with a lot of big smiles and open ears.

Donna Brazile, Ana Navarro. Thank you very much for being with us.

Let's take a quick break and then when we come out of it we'll have our special coverage here at CNN of Pope Francis making history being the first pontiff to ever address a joint meeting Congress.

Christiane Amanpour will be here with you right out of the break. Stay with us.

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