In a historic presentation to Congress, Pope Francis urged lawmakers on Thursday to take "courageous actions" on global warming, poverty and the refugee crisis.

"I am convinced that we can make a difference and I have no doubt that the United States—and this Congress—have an important role to play," the pope said in his prepared speech to a joint meeting of Congress.



The speech was the first time a pope had addressed Congress.

"Now is the time for courageous actions and strategies, aimed at implementing a culture of care and an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature," the pope said in his prepared remarks.

Francis' environmentalist views have been criticized by some conservatives. Last week, Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., he would boycott the pontiff's speech because of his climate change positions.