Rep. Marsha Blackburn says Pope Francis's mention of the prophet Moses during his historic address to Congress on Thursday was a heartfelt recognition of Israel.
"It was a nice touch in that he talked about the symbolism of the figure of Moses being a patriarch, being a lawgiver for the people of Israel," Blackburn said Thursday on "The Steve Malzberg Show" on
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"And I felt that was a nice way to recognize the nation of Israel, the state of Israel.
"He also made mention of Moses as being someone who had a direct relationship with God and leading us directly to God. That was really a nice touch."
Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican who serves vice chair of House Energy Committee, said making the pope's reference even more significant is the fact a portrait of Moses is displayed in Congress.
"At the speaker's podium, you look straight ahead … and the one face that looks directly at you and directly at the podium as if calling you to accountability is that of Moses."
Moses was a former Egyptian prince turned religious leader and lawgiver who is credited with authoring the Torah, according to the Hebrew Bible.
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