Pope Francis Cruisin’ DC … In a Fiat!

Once Francis wraps up his Washington visit and returns to Andrews Air Force Base on Thursday to head to New York, he’ll ditch the Alitalia jetliner he’s been on and pick up the American Airlines plane. Benedict XVI used such a vehicle when he visited Washington in 2008, and Francis is expected to use one for a portion of his city tour on Wednesday. And if it is necessary, I’ll recite the creed.

“My doctrine… this is the social doctrine of the Church”. “My desire is that they end up with a good result, that they reach an accord that satisfies both sides, an accord, certainly”.

Pope Francis made an impassioned defense of the unemployed during a speech to people in the poor Neapolitan neighborhood of Scampia Saturday.

That’s when people without tickets to the special events and masses will get their chance to glimpse the Holy Father.

Cuban President Raul Castro saw the pope off at the airport, after a three-day stay in the country.

In addition to combating social and economic inequality, White House officials said, the two leaders’ other areas of common ground include addressing climate change – the focus of Francis’ encyclical that came just months before a United Nations climate conference in Paris in December.

The pope spoke in the foothills of the Sierra Maestra mountains where Castro and his brother Fidel commanded a guerrilla army that seized power in 1959. “And I was just like, she might have been a little off. But it was embarrassing”, said Amanda.

His decision to go from Cuba to the United States is weighed with symbolism as the pope pushes the Church to pay greater heed to people who live on the periphery since becoming pope in 2013.

“For the nunciature, first, it was very clear that I was not going to give audiences because not only the dissidents asked for audiences, but also audiences (were requested) from other sectors, including from the chief of state”.

Pope Francis’ USA visit spans September 22-27.

Pope Francis was then greeted by President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill.

Like the outspoken pope, his trip is not without controversy.