WASHINGTON

Pope Francis on Thursday called on Washington’s leaders to heed the call of humanity, telling lawmakers to embrace the marginalized amid a refugee crisis that has been largely fueled by Syria’s civil war.

“This presents us with great challenges and many hard decisions. On this continent too, thousands of persons are led to travel north in search of a better life for themselves and for their loved ones,” Francis told a joint session of Congress – the first for a Roman Catholic pontiff.

“We must not be taken aback by the numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation, to respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal,” he added, urging Congress to embrace “the stranger in our midst”.

The pontiff’s call comes as Europe continues to grapple with a refugee crisis spurned principally by Syria’s civil war, but that has become compounded by unrest in North Africa and continued instability in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Francis said that the world is “increasingly a place of violent conflict, hatred and brutal atrocities committed even in the name of God and religion” while adding that no faith is immune from radicalization and “individual delusion.”

“A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology or an economic system while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellectual freedom and individual freedoms,” he said.

The Bishop of Rome pleaded with lawmakers who are often at odds with each other to unite in principal around a mission to treat others as they would want to be treated.

“If we want security, let us give security,” he said to applause. “If we want life, let us give life. If we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities. The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time use for us.”

He further called on Congress to abolish the death penalty, saying, “every life is sacred, every human person is endowed with an inalienable dignity, and society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes.”

After addressing lawmakers, Francis took to the Speaker’s Balcony on the West Front of the Capitol building where he addressed the tens of thousands that gathered in anticipation of his arrival.

With House Speaker John Boehner and Vice President Joe Biden, both Catholics, standing beside him, Francis waved to the masses below asking for the prayers of his supporters.

He concluded with the popular refrain of “God bless America” as he had earlier in the Capitol chamber drawing similar raucous applause.

Francis’ congressional visit wraps up his last meeting with U.S. officials in Washington. He will next head to New York where he will address the United Nations General Assembly before moving on to Philadelphia to attend a Catholic gathering expected to draw 1.5 million attendees.