Following Pope Francis’ historic address to a joint-meeting of Congress, Latino lawmakers are responding to his call to act on important issues.

Pope Francis' speech touched upon immigration and the refugee crises, poverty and climate change. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra, congressman for California's 34th Congressional District, acknowledged the pontiff's stress for Congress and Americans to take "extraordinary action."

"The Pope is special, but he also conveyed that he is human," said Becerra. "He spoke to us as not only a head of state, but as a son of immigrants. While addressing challenges facing our nation from immigration to poverty to climate change, Pope Francis gave us a yardstick by which to measure progress. We must aspire, he reminded us, to create jobs and foster a more equitable distribution of wealth."

The California representative added that there must be a collaborative effort to address the environmental challenge of climate change.

Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., said the pontiff's message is not exclusive to members of Congress but also all human beings.

"In his speech to Congress today, Pope Francis reminded us that 'We must move forward together, as one, in a renewed spirit of fraternity and solidarity, cooperating generously for the common good' ... We must lift up all those who are too often forgotten by our society -- immigrants, the young, the elderly, the downtrodden and the destitute," said Roybal-Allard in a statement.

The representative for California's 40th Congressional District said the next generation will be able to live in a world, "worthy of Pope Francis' wise and noble vision," if everyone unites against injustice and inhumanity.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., said Pope Francis delivered a message that Congress could not have offered and, instead of lecturing or preaching, the pontiff "reminded us that our faith and our actions must be in sync."

"I try to push back on Donald Trump and others who attack Latinos and immigrants or women or Muslims or the poor -- sometimes on the floor of the House. But I cannot speak as simply and as powerfully as the Pope can," said Gutierrez. "Today, someone stood up for the people in my community and the message will definitely sink in."

Gutierrez said he thinks all members of Congress will think twice before labeling children seeking asylum as "criminals," calling immigrants "drug mules," deny climate change or cutting assistance for working families.

"If Congress had a daily reminder of the Golden Rule, this would be a better country," added Gutierrez, referencing Pope Francis' remarks from Thursday morning when the pontiff said, "We must remember the golden rule: 'Do one to others as you would have them do unto you.'"

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., the only senator in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said Pope Francis called on everyone to a higher purpose and everyone all to have a responsibility to protect the Earth, families and children. Menendez noted how Pope Francis reminded all legislators that they have a responsibility to present the people of the United States and "not allow anger and division to rule our politics."

"He told us that we should not forget the primary purpose of why we are here -- to serve the people we were elected to represent, all people, every person, every family. Let us take that as the lesson from what the Pope said, and let us commit to making it part of our lives every day," said Menendez.

Pope Francis' speech to Congress concluded his three-day stay in Washington, D.C. He will arrive in New York on Thursday for a series of events including a visit to St. Patrick's Cathedral and address the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.

In a statement after his address, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito said Pope Francis "laid out a powerful vision of our shared humanity and responsibilities to one another."

"He reminded us that as a nation we are an accepting, forgiving and inclusive people and that we are powered and strengthened by our diversity. His Holiness call to action for immigrants, the environment and the economy must be heeded," added Mark-Viverito, who also represents the city's 8th District, which includes East Harlem's Our Lady Queen of Angels School, where the pontiff will visit on Friday.

"We look forward to welcoming him in New York City," said the city council speaker.

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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