Indy archbishop heads east for Pope Francis visit

The pope told reporters he hopes the United States will lift its long trade embargo on the Communist-run island but does not plan to raise it in his address to Congress this week.

In the wall-to-wall news coverage of Pope Francis’ visit to the United States this week, Tarrant County residents may have noticed his travels with hometown pride. Free tickets are available at the box office, by calling 231-947-3446, or at the door.

The website, www.diocesefwsb.org/LoveIsOurMission, will be updated daily during the pontifical visit with local news stories, prayers, videos and features of local Catholics who will be attending the World Meeting of Families.

Welcome to America, Pope Francis-can we please take a selfie?

Pope Francis celebrated Mass in front of thousands of people at Havana’s Revolution Square Sunday. In 1993, Pope John Paul II flew in an American plane from Denver to Rome. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will provide live streaming of all the papal visit events at usccb.org.

But why, of all of the pressing issues that the pope might discuss with USA officials, might he speak of the enduring conflict in Palestine?

The pope blessed Enija and her classmates, she said, calling the “very memorable day” a “once-in-a-lifetime experience”.

He saw Pope Benedict in Rome at what’s called a general audience.

The archbishop said Pope Francis has generated as much excitement across the country as he’s ever seen for a pope visiting the U.S.

While he is certain of a warm welcome, Francis’ trip will include uncomfortable moments – as is typical of a pontiff who has disrupted the status quo and questioned the morality of modern society.

The pope’s first flight on that plane occurred this afternoon, flying from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, to New York’s John F. Kennedy global Airport.