Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins today announced she is leading a bipartisan delegation of Catholic U.S. Senators to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday.
“It is a tremendous honor to be selected to lead this bipartisan delegation of United States Senators to Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis and pay our respects to his life and legacy,” said Senator Collins. “Pope Francis’s profound commitment to celebrate the Risen Lord, even on the day before his death, and share God’s grace with people from all walks of life inspired believers around the world. He truly embodied God’s boundless love for us all. It is an incredible blessing to have the opportunity to represent the Senate and honor the life of Pope Francis with my colleagues.”
Senator Collins is leading the bipartisan delegation, which also includes Senators Richard Durbin, Michael Rounds, Ed Markey, and Eric Schmitt.
Senator Collins met Pope Francis in 2015 when he became the first pontiff to address Congress.
Senator Collins also met Pope John Paul II and attended his funeral in 2005.
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