House members voted July 28 to limit the number of people allowed in the House Chamber Sept. 24 when Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress. The vote, which was part of a procedural measure, excludes former members of Congress and former House officers and chaplains from attending the papal address.

Those allowed to attend include: members of Congress, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, Supreme Court justices, current House officers, the librarian of Congress, architect of the Capitol and department heads. The vote also approved of “other persons as designated by the Speaker.” House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, invited the pope and requested the vote to limit the audience.