Pope Francis arrives on first US visit

As the pontiff rode off in his humble ride, waving at the crowd through the open window, Twitter exploded with praise for the ‘people’s pope, ‘ calling the choice of auto everything from “adorable” to “sending an environmental message”. Several local Catholic pilgrimage groups will also attend papal events over the next few days in New York City and Philadelphia.

“I I wanted to see the Pope“.

Pope Francis celebrated Mass in front of thousands of people at Havana’s Revolution Square Sunday. “Thank you from my heart”.

His arrival comes as attendance in the US Catholic Church is on the decline due to continuing sexual abuse scandals and the erosion of religious institutions amid an increasingly secular way of life. All around Washington, the banners are hung, the grounds groomed, and the stages set.

“I like to meet with all people”. Safety is a top priority.

Francis also sat down with Fidel Castro, and officials said they spent their 40 minutes together talking about issues facing humanity, including the pope’s recent encyclical on the environment and the global economic system.

Police and the Secret Service are enforcing road closures in the area and directing foot traffic.

Frankly, I wish both political parties fought for those principles, instead of trying to pretend that they are great admirers of what Pope Francis stands for. So many streets are being closed, that many government workers are being told to work from home.

Wednesday evening the Pontiff will make even more history when he holds the first canonization ceremony on US soil making Junipero Serra a saint. In 1987, ABC7 News interviewed Sister Mary Boniface Dyrda, a Franciscan nun in St. Louis, Missouri.

“Pope Francis, the Holy Father, has a tremendous appeal for everyone in the United States and we are so edified by that. Yeah, there’s a lot of things that are messed up, but Gods love kind of perseveres through all of that”, Rochette said. “Pledge to say a prayer for someone, pledge to just do something for someone who has a need”.

They called for broadened collective bargaining rights and a $15 minimum wage.

Pope Francis gave a press conference on board his plane.