He's here! Pope Francis landed on U.S. soil on Tuesdayafternoon and he had an A-list contingent ready to meet him in Washington D.C. It'sthe pontiff's first visit to the United States since becoming pope, and he wasgreeted by President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, their daughters,Sasha and Malia, and Vice President Joe Biden and his family.
Pope Francis with Barack, Malia and Michelle Obama Photo: Getty Images
The six-day trip comes after the pontiff spent time in Cubaand Pope Francis, 78, will have an action-packed time during his visit.
On Wednesday he will take part in a welcoming ceremony atthe White House before holding the first-ever canonization mass on Americansoil (for new saint Junipero Serra) at the National Basilica Shrine of theImmaculate Conception.
The following day he will address a Joint Session of Congress,visit the National Mall and meet parishioners from St. Patrick's CatholicChurch. Catholic Charities St. Maria's Meals plans to have dozens of tables setup for the poor and homeless to be served lunch as the Pope blesses the food.
Pope Francis made the President laugh within minutes of his arrival Photo: Getty Images
The pontiff will fly to New York City that night and hold anevening prayer service at St. Patrick's Cathedral. On Friday he will spend timewith the United Nations General Assembly before heading to a multi-religious serviceat the 9/11 Memorial Museum.
Then he will head uptown to visit Our Lady Queenof Angels School in East Harlem and lead a papal motorcade through CentralPark, which will be witnessed by 80,000 lucky ticketholders who won their spotsin a lottery. That evening Jennifer Hudson and Harry Connick Jr. are set to perform before mass is held in Madison Square Garden.
On Saturday the Pope will fly to Philadelphia, where masswill be held at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul before hevisits Independence Mall, home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, therethe Declaration of Independence was signed.
The pontiff met with local schoolchildren Photo: Getty Images
That evening he will stop by the Festival of Families andhold a prayer vigil with the World Meeting of Families. Mark Wahlberg ishosting the event, which is the largest meeting of Catholic families held everythree years. It will feature performances by Aretha Franklin and AndreaBocelli.
Sunday will see Francis hold a papal meeting with bishopsbefore visiting inmates at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. He willreturn to the World Meeting of Families for mass before departing for Rome.
