"Freedom of religion is one of America's most valued possessions." This was part of Pope Francis' message to President Barack Obama when he spoke at the White House on Sept. 23, echoing an appeal by the U.S. bishops and some believers who believe that religious freedom is being blocked in the country, Catholic News Agency reported.
The pontiff told Pres. Obama: "Everyone is called to be vigilant, exactly as good citizen, to protect and maintain that freedom from anything that would harm or threaten it."
Pres. Obama, on the other hand, also spoke about religious liberty, referring to the beheading of Coptic Christians by Islamic State extremists in Libya. "You make us think that people can only and truly be free when they are able to practice their faith freely," Pres. Obama said. Here in United States, we value highly our religious freedom, but around the world, at this moment, the children of God, including Christians, are being targeted and even killed due to their faith. So we stand by you in defending religious freedom and interfaith dialogue, believing that people must be able to live out their faith without fear and free from intimidation."
Meanwhile, the Pope also spoke about the environment and immigration.
"Being a son of an immigrant family, I am pleased to be a guest in this country, which was mostly built by such families," Pope Franscis said.
The pontiff commended all of the Americans for supporting the attempts of the international community to defend the helpless in our world and to encourage integral and inclusive models of progress so that all can share in global prosperity.
Speaking before the Pope, President Obama noted how 20,000 people gathered on the White House lawn served as only a small reflection of the "deep devotion of some 70 million American Catholics.
