Pope Francis Heads to Philadelphia for Final Leg of US Trip

Every fourth-grader here must learn the history of the 21 Spanish missions, built between 1769 and 1823, some of them now National Historic Landmarks.

The Pope’s appeal to the U.N.is so important, Destro explained, because Christians and others who are persecuted are the “canaries in the world coal mine”, and Pope Francis is warning the West that religious freedom could deteriorate there if those persecuted in Asia and Africa are not protected.

“Here grief is palpable”, Francis said, after viewing the reflecting pools that mark the footprints of the Twin Towers.

Francis walked down the aisle of the church holding a large staff with a crucifix on top while a choir sang.

Flanked by a dozen religious leaders from the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Greek Orthodox traditions, Francis spoke to a crowd of about 700 people in an underground gallery.

Robert Baumann, an economics professor at Holy Cross University in Worcester, Massachusetts, said the business gains from a high-profile event like the pope’s visit nearly always were minor.

Later Saturday, he will give a speech at Independence Hall and then join in the final night of the World Meeting of Families.

He also listed the challenges of narcotics trade as another kind of conflict which is not always open, yet is silently killing millions of people.

Gov. Tom Wolf arrived in Philadelphia Friday morning, and will be greeting the Pope when he arrives. Corbett originally invited Francis to Philadelphia. On Sunday, he will celebrate Mass for hundreds of thousands. CNN’s Jessica Ravitz spent time with Chris Massaro, one of nine men taking part in their “Spiritual Year” at Saint Charles – one stop in a seven-year journey to become priests – to get a read on the “Francis effect”.

New York treated the pontiff to a rock-star reception, shutting down the city in draconian security measures to allow him ease of movement.

Chaput has said a local Catholic school run by nuns showed “character and common sense” by firing a teacher in June who married another woman.

Francis is headed first for the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul for a mass scheduled at 10:30 a.m.

Francis, born to an Italian immigrant family in Argentina, delivered a speech that addressed issues dear to liberals in the United States but also emphasised conservative values and Catholic teachings on the family.

Jennifer Hudson, Gloria Estafan, Harry Connick Jr. and other entertainers performed for a jubilant crowd Friday at a concert to welcome Pope Francis on his first visit to the USA and celebrate his message of faith and goodwill.

And naturally, other matters like care for the unborn and the poor flow from this care for the environment, and Pope Francis has already made this connection on his US trip. He will fly to Philadelphia after a brief farewell from worshippers waiting to see him off. They chanted together. “Francisco!”

“Our Father…” was heard above the rumble of the American Airlines jet engines warming up for the flight to Philadelphia.

Francis’ speech kicked off what was expected to be a whirlwind day in New York that blended the powerful and the poor, from the solemnity of ground zero to the struggles of East Harlem.

Roman Catholic worshippers and church officials have gathered for a brief farewell on the JFK airport tarmac. Four of them are originally from Francis’ native Argentina.

“Since my first visit here in “Phila” several months ago”, Paglia began, “I felt a really warm welcome for the pope“. In the nation’s capital, he addressed a joint meeting of Congress, urging law makers to cooperate to solve problems such as inequality of opportunity and climate change – themes that he echoed and expanded on at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Bratton said they’re paying close attention to the pope’s behavior in Washington so they know more of what to expect in New York.