U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock recently had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis. (WJBC file photo)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Peoria) had a rare opportunity during a recent trip to Rome.

Schock was in Rome to attend a commemorative concert marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. While there, he had the chance to meet and speak with Pope Francis.

Schock said the two discussed, among other topics, the value of life.

"And how whether someone is Jewish, or Muslim, or Christian, we as Christian people need to speak out in support of those lives," said Schock. "Obviously, that goes for all stages of life; whether it's a life that's old or whether it's an unborn child."

Schock said Francis is a person he has "enormous" respect for.

"He's refocused the church's efforts on the care for the poor and reaching out and caring for those who may not be as comfortable as the rest of us," said Schock. "I think that's the role of the church."

Schock added Francis is down to Earth, charming, and personable.

"It's obviously that he's a bit uncomfortable with all the pomp and circumstance that surrounds him," Schock said.

Podcast: Listen to Schock's full interview with WJBC.

The concert Schock attended was organized by the Italian mother of one of his constituents. It featured music pieces which were written and performed in concentration camps during the Holocaust.

"Many of the survivors perished, but their loved ones saved the music," said Schock. "Some of the survivors of the Holocaust were present in the audience and their children or in some cases grandchildren, sang or played the piano or were in the orchestra of the pieces that they had written."

Schock said events like the liberation of Auschwitz and the Holocaust will always be important to memorialize.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].