John Howard , prime minister of Australia , had originally been scheduled to address Congress on September 12 , 2001 , but his address was postponed due to the September 11 terrorist attacks the previous day . Howard 's address was rescheduled for June 12 , 2002 where he spoke about the attacks he had witnessed 9 months earlier . Howard was acknowledged with a standing ovation and describes the occasion as a " moving moment . " The most recent addresses by foreign dignitaries were given by French President Emmanuel Macron on April 25 , 2018 , Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 8 , 2016 , and Pope Francis on September 24 , 2015 . The Pope did not address the joint session as a religious dignitary but as a head of state
September 11 terrorist attacks
September 11 attacks
Joint session of the United States Congress