"I don't think we should politicize our faith," he said, speaking in a state where evangelical Christians wield significant political influence. "I think religion ought to be about making us better as people and less about things that end up getting into the political realm."

His comments came on the eve of an encyclical by Pope Francis that is expected to endorse the scientific view that human activity contributes to climate change '€” a conclusion challenged by many Republicans and several of the party's candidates for president.

Bush, who converted to Catholicism, suggested he will not be beholden to a faith-driven policy agenda wherever it comes from because his religion is a personal beacon, not a political roadmap.

"I go to church to have my faith nourished, to have my faith challenged," the former Florida governor told reporters after the outdoor meeting with about 75 eastern Iowa Republicans in the backyard of a local supporter. "That's why I go to Mass. I don't go to Mass for economic policy or for things in politics."

On the coming encyclical, he said he would read and reflect on it. "I think Pope Francis is an extraordinary leader of a church whose teachings I try to follow, and it doesn't need to get any more complicated than that," Bush said. "But I think it's better to solve this in the political realm."

Bush has said he accepts the scientific premise that the climate is changing and believes that examining the causes should be a priority. But he's contended that the science is not clear on how much global warming comes from human activity. (hhr)

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