Nebraska Lawmakers Gain Global Catholic Perspective at Rome Conference

Five state senators deepen their faith and commitment to public service after meeting with Catholic legislators worldwide and the Pope.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Five Nebraska state senators - Rita Sanders, Tony Sorrentino, Bob Andersen, Ben Hansen, and Dan Lonowski - attended an international conference in Rome organized by the International Catholic Legislators Network. The lawmakers gained valuable lessons and personal graces from visiting Catholic holy sites, talking with fellow Catholic legislators from around the world, and even meeting with Pope Leo XIV. The experience deepened the senators' commitment to their faith and public service, with one senator's husband even converting to Catholicism during the trip.

Why it matters

The Rome conference provided the Nebraska lawmakers a unique opportunity to connect with their Catholic faith on a global scale, broadening their perspectives and strengthening their commitment to serving their constituents through the lens of their religious beliefs. This type of cross-cultural exchange can help inform state-level policymaking and deepen lawmakers' understanding of the role of faith in public life.

The details

At the conference, the Nebraska senators participated in breakout sessions, visited holy sites, and had personal interactions with the Pope. Sen. Rita Sanders was invited to travel to Israel after the conference, deepening her commitment to women's issues. Sen. Tony Sorrentino was inspired to push for changes to allow 529 education savings plans to be used for Catholic school tuition. Sen. Bob Andersen, who was raised Presbyterian, found his Catholic faith growing stronger, and his family even learned that his wife's cousin had been appointed a bishop during their time in Vatican City.

  • The conference took place in the summer of 2025.
  • Sen. Sanders also attended the conference in 2023.

The players

Rita Sanders

A Nebraska state senator from Bellevue who has attended the Rome conference twice, in 2023 and 2025.

Tony Sorrentino

A Nebraska state senator from Elkhorn who attended the 2025 Rome conference and was inspired to push for changes to allow 529 education savings plans to be used for Catholic school tuition.

Bob Andersen

A Nebraska state senator from Gretna who attended the 2025 Rome conference for the first time, bringing his wife and sons, and found his Catholic faith growing stronger.

Pope Leo XIV

The Pope who met with the Nebraska lawmakers during the 2025 Rome conference.

Ralph O'Donnell

Sen. Andersen's second cousin, who was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri, during the lawmakers' time in Vatican City.

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What they’re saying

“While we're different in a lot of ways, we're the same. I saw it as refreshing that many of the legislators from other countries had the same concerns we did, or are battling the same battles we are – maybe handling them in different ways or coming up with different outcomes, but we're all in this together, and we all have the commonality of our Catholic faith.”

— Tony Sorrentino, Nebraska State Senator (catholicvoiceomaha.com)

“The one thing that I was able to take away … is that we have a duty to educate our children in the Catholic faith. I think their faith is more important now than it ever would be. Faith life for a child who's going to be on this planet for another 75 to 100 years is very necessary, because they'll be challenged on it. There will be tough situations, and to have a faith life is a real leg up in life. We have to continue to educate our young.”

— Tony Sorrentino, Nebraska State Senator (catholicvoiceomaha.com)

“The older I've gotten, the more convinced I am of God's influence in my life. I'm a firm believer that God has a hand in our lives. He's got a plan for us. And I've always prayed to be smart enough to listen when He tells me what to do.”

— Bob Andersen, Nebraska State Senator (catholicvoiceomaha.com)

What’s next

The Nebraska lawmakers plan to continue incorporating the lessons and inspiration they gained from the Rome conference into their work in the state legislature, particularly around issues of education, women's rights, and the role of faith in public life.

The takeaway

The Rome conference provided the Nebraska state senators a unique opportunity to deepen their Catholic faith and global perspective, which they can now apply to their legislative work and service to their constituents. This type of cross-cultural exchange among lawmakers can help bridge divides and foster greater understanding of the role of religion in public policy.