Pope Francis in Philadelphia — On Twitter

Fr. Lombardi noted that Pope Francis himself has repeatedly drawn attention to the World Meeting of Families as the reason for his trip.

The city is under a security lockdown, with traffic banned downtown for the entire weekend and thousands of National Guardsmen in the streets to corral throngs of faithful hoping to see the pontiff.

The festival will blend song, prayer, and testimonials on the joys and challenges of family life. Performers included Aretha Franklin and Andrea Bocelli. “All that love that He made in creation, He gave it and shared it and bestowed it on family”, the pope said, in a speech before a crowd of some 18,000 attendees.

Franklin, best known for her hit Respect, performed wonderful Grace. She said she was elated to get the chance to see him.

Pope Francis was welcomed by actor Mark Wahlberg, who hosted the evening’s performances.

Read about Pope Francis’ Philadelphia visit on PAGE 1B.

Later Sunday, Francis was scheduled to visit a prison and celebrate a final Mass on US soil on Philadelphia’s grandest boulevard, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Pope Francis spoke candidly on Saturday night about the importance of family before an enormous crowd at the World Meeting of Families Festival to cap off an extraordinary day in Philadelphia. “But religious freedom also goes along with places of worship and the private sphere of individuals and families”.

Francis did not specifically mention political hot potatoes such as gay marriage or abortion but spoke of “threats to religious liberty in broader, more global terms”, the AP reported.

Instead, he used the occasion to embrace other causes close to his heart.

Pope Francis, speaking in America’s birthplace yesterday, offered stout words of support to Hispanic and other immigrants in the United States, telling them not to be discouraged at a time when some prominent politicians are directing hostility toward them. I ask you not to forget that, like those who came here before you, you bring many gifts to this new nation of yours.

Numerous photos that have been shared on social media show rainbows during Pope events in both Philadelphia, where Francis arrived Saturday, and in New York, where he was the day before.

In the crowd, Matt Cannaday from Cathedral High School had a close-up view of the 78-year-old Pontiff.

Among those greeting him was Richard Bowes, a former Philadelphia police officer wounded in the line of duty. He walked over to the 10-year-old with cerebral palsy, placed his hands on the boy’s head, uttered a blessing and kissed his forehead.

Republican front-runner Donald Trump has called for deporting all 11 million illegal immigrants, most of whom are from Latin America like the pope, and has accused Mexico of sending rapists and other criminals across the border.

“I think this is a pope that, he puts a good face on the Catholic Church”, Towalski said.

Francis has repeatedly said women should have a greater role in church leadership, though he has rejected the idea of ordaining women.