The current Pope, Pope Francis, recently came to visit the United States.  This event marks the tenth time in history that a Pope has visited the United States. Pope Francis addressed topics that weren’t traditionally discussed by the Vatican. Many Americans were overjoyed upon receiving the news that Pope Francis was visiting us.  He accomplished a lot in the short time he was here.

On Tuesday, September 22, the Pope arrived in Washington D.C. He arrived at Joint Base Andrews, in Washington, and was greeted by the Obama family and Vice President, Joe Biden.  On Wednesday, September 23, the Pope had a White House welcoming ceremony and a personal meeting with President Obama, himself, to discuss economic, social, environmental and immigration reform issues. He, then, had a Papal Parade along Ellipse and the National Mall in Washington D.C.  During this parade, a five year old girl named, Sofia Cruz, broke through the security to get to the Pope.  As they went to escort her away, the Pope called her back over.  According to NBC news, young Sofia stated, “I want to tell you that my heart is sad and I would like to ask you to speak with the President and the Congress in legalizing my parents because every day I am scared that one day they will take them away from me.”  After this adorable moment, he continued his day by saying midday prayer with the US bishops, and later that afternoon held a Canonization Mass for Junipero Serra, a Franciscan missionary who built schools for Native Americans.

On Thursday, September 24, the Pope arrived at the Capitol to deliver a speech to the US Senate and the House of Representatives.  This speech was mostly about saving the earth from climate change and not turning our backs on undocumented immigrants, as he was asked by his young friend, Sophia, the previous day.  This speech was one of four speeches the Pope delivered in English while on this trip.  Pope Francis taught himself how to speak English in order to communicate better with the American public. Later, that afternoon, he departed from Washington D.C. for New York.  Finally, to end his long and busy day, he said an evening prayer at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. On Friday, September 25, he arrived at the United Nations General Assembly, and later delivered a multi-religious service at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.  Later, he visited Our Lady Queen of Angels school in East Harlem.  The children were all overjoyed to see the Pope.  Then, the Papal Motorcade went through Central Park, until he went to deliver a Mass at Madison Square Garden.

On Saturday, September 26, he departed for Philadelphia.  There, he said Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.  That night, he visited the Festival of Families and conducted a Prayer Vigil with World Meeting of Families.  Pope Francis’ last day, Sunday, September 27, he had a Papal meeting with the Bishops and visited the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.  That night, he visited organizers, volunteers, and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families.  Finally, he departed from the United States after successfully completing an itinerary that few seventy-nine year olds could manage.