A looming budget battle between Democrats and Republicans could put a damper on Pope Francis' visit to the U.S. in September, in which he is poised to make history as the first pontiff to address Congress. The New York Times reports that Republican leaders are worried that the visit might even be overshadowed by a government shutdown.
Some leaders are hopeful that the upcoming papal presence will prompt the parties to get their act together to avoid the embarrassment of fighting in front of the Holy Father.
"That would be awful," Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) told the Times. "My hope is that we will all be infused with the spirit of St. Francis," referring to the pope's namesake.
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