Cruz lauds pope as champion of ‘religious liberty’

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is praising Pope Francis as a champion of religious liberty and traditional values, citing his views on marriage and abortion.

“Pope Francis has spoken to the world, proclaiming the inherent truth and goodness of life, marriage, and religious liberty,” Cruz wrote in an editorial for the Federalist on Wednesday. “I am grateful for his leadership on these central issues.”

Francis, who is visiting the U.S. this week, has not endeared himself to conservatives on every issue.

{mosads}Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) announced last week that he will boycott the pope’s address to Congress on Thursday over the pontiff’s stance on climate change.

And conservative radio show host Rush Limbaugh called Francis’s views on capitalism “pure Marxism coming out of the mouth of the pope.”

The pope also helped reestablish relations between the U.S. and Cuba, a move that drew the ire of conservatives who favored a harsher stance toward the communist nation.

But Cruz, who has made religious liberty a key component of his presidential campaign, said the pope’s visit serves as a reminder of America’s religious heritage.

“Indeed, there are policy discussions to be had on issues like the environment and U.S. relations with communist countries such as Cuba,” Cruz wrote in the op-ed. “These distinctions are important, but let us not forget what we have in common and what this leader of the church brings to America as a gift to us – his care for the family and his heart of mercy for the most vulnerable.”

Cruz has recently stood up for embattled Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples following the Supreme Court’s ruling legalizing gay marriage.