Pope Francis will celebrate mass in front of about 25,000 people, and his USA agenda includes both politicians and the poor. Media, clergy and politicians were straining to catch the first glimpse of the “People’s Pope” as he took his first steps on US soil since becoming pope in 2013.
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The pope, a 78-year-old native of Argentina, is highly popular among Americans.
“It is a public thing that is moving along the path of the good relations they are looking for”, said Francis, who helped broker behind the scenes a thaw between the Cold War foes.
When he landed at Andrews Air Force Base, the pope was greeted by Mr Obama and his family along with Vice-President Joe Biden and his wife.
After traveling nine other places around the world since his election in March 2013, Lombardi said “the experience of the pope as universal pastor is growing”.
But whether he would specifically address the Cuba embargo, or the topics of embargo, with the United States Congress, the Pope was unsure, since “the speech is finished so I can’t say; or better put, I’m thinking well about what I might say about it”. The Obamas’ daughters, Malia and Sasha, and Mrs. Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson, also welcomed the pope, along with a delegation of American Catholic leaders.
“There are so many Cardinals and Bishops who are just about fit to be tied, because they never dreamed that we would have someone like this leading our Church”, he said.
Normally, Obama would return to the White House by helicopter but the Marine One landing area has been transformed into a reception center for Francis’ scheduled visit Wednesday.
According to AP, Francis spoke of the conservative criticism of his economic worldview during the flight, telling reporters that he may have given the impression that he’s “a little bit more left-leaning”.
At Loyola University in Chicago, bells rang at the chapel as Pope Francis, their spiritual leader and fellow Jesuit, arrived.
Pope Francis wants to use his six-day, three-city visit to the U.S.to address pressing global questions, Vatican spokesman Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi said at a press briefing Tuesday evening.
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The rare tarmac greeting by the commander-in-chief himself illustrates the historic nature of Pope Francis’ visit.
