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Green Bay Mayor Invites Pope; Group Objects

Freedom from Religion Foundation calls Mayor Jim Schmitt's invitation "a shocking breach" of his civil and secular duties.

Schmitt says he will continue pursuing Pope Francis, hoping he might visit a Marian shrine in Green Bay and hold Mass at Lambeau Field, during his trip to the U.S. in September of 2015.

The FFRF, which promotes the separation of church and government, also criticizes the mayor for potentially exposing Green Bay residents to the security and other costs associated with hosting the Catholic church leader.

In 2008, the FFRF filed a federal lawsuit against Schmitt and the City of Green Bay, forcing them to remove the nativity scene they had outside City Hall.