Congress faces some unusual choices for this week's unusual address by Pope Francis

Pope Francis lands in Cuba, en route to the U.S. — (Image credit: Carl Court/Getty Images)

When any leader addresses a joint session of Congress — the president, every year, and foreign leaders more rarely — there is a lot of glad-handing and partisan applause and standing ovations. Pope Francis is a different kind of world leader, and that's prompted some unusual directives for the members who will attend.

"Out of respect for the pope's schedule and the expectation of a timely address, we respectfully request that you assist us by refraining from handshakes and conversations along and down the center aisle," the four top leaders of Congress — Republican and Democrat — said in a letter to members of the House and Senate late week. They added that more "dignitary protocols" were forthcoming. But whether to clap when Pope Francis calls for measures to fight climate change, or to fight abortion? "All members of Congress face a delicate balancing act," says The Associated Press. "Welcoming the pope without coming across as opportunist." For more, watch the AP video below. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.