His address was billed as an event about immigration, but he went beyond those boundaries, saying that the foundations of religious liberty laid the groundwork for the nation’s diversity and urging a common bond among the faithful of all religions to work toward peace.

“In a world where various forms of modern tyranny seek to suppress religious freedom, or try to reduce it to a subculture without right to a voice in the public square, or to use religion as a pretext for hatred and brutality, it is imperative that the followers of the various religions join their voices in calling for peace, tolerance, and respect for the dignity of others,” Francis said, according to a translation of his speech provided by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops before the event.

Archbishop Charles Chaput, who introduced Francis, remarked that when the Church advocated for the rights of the unborn, it was seen as too harsh. And when the Church advocated for the rights of immigrants it was considered soft. The Catholic Church, Chaput said, was neither.

“When it comes to immigration, the church reminds us that we are all children of the same God,” Chaput said. “The person who speaks that truth the most is Pope Francis.”