Jeb Bush to attend pope’s mass in Washington

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and his wife plan to attend a mass led by Pope Francis during his visit to Washington, D.C., later this month, according to the Washington Post.

Bush aides stressed that the GOP primary candidate intends to leave a “light footprint” on the event.

The mass will take place Sept. 23 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

{mosads}During the service, Pope Francis will canonize Junipero Serra, an 18th-century friar who founded missions in California. It will be the first beatification ceremony to take place in North America.

Bush, who converted to Catholicism in the 1990s, has often been quizzed about how he views the pope, who has been outspoken on issues like gay marriage, abortion, and income inequality during his papacy.

Bush grew agitated when one reporter asked him how his faith would influence his presidency.

“Same as it does not and same as it did as governor,” he responded.

“With respect, understanding that my views are not universal ones. I think it’s okay to have a set of principles that are informed by some moral underpinning, whether it’s — my case, my Catholicism — or other people’s case, their belief in a set of principles that they adhere to that may not be faith-driven.”

Pope Francis is visiting the United States from Sept. 23 to 27, during which he will meet with President Obama and give a speech to a joint session of Congress.