WASHINGTON — After months of anticipation and planning, Pope Francis arrived at Andrews Air Force Base Tuesday afternoon for the first leg of his history-making visit to the United States.
The cheers of hundreds, including local school children, greeted the pope like a rock star as he exited the plane. The chanted in Spanish and English and roared as he made his first appearance on U.S. soil.
The pope has no public events scheduled this evening, but he was met at the base by President Barack Obama, the Obama family, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, along with other dignitaries including Catholic Church leaders. His evening off proceeds a packed two days full of events.
He arrived at the Nunciature, also known as the Vatican Embassy, on Massachusetts Avenue, to more cheers. Hundreds gathered at the official residence to welcome the pontiff, who rode in a black Fiat instead of a limo.
During his time in D.C., the first Latin American pope will become the first pope to address Congress and to celebrate a canonization Mass in America.
Twenty-five thousand people are expected to attend the Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast. Many members of the crowd are expected to come from California where Junipero Serra established the first Catholic missionaries in the 1700s.
Coming on the heels of his visit to Cuba, where he touched on themes of reconciliation and looking beyond prejudices, the pope is expected to focus on immigration and the United States role in the global community.
Screams & applause @FranciscanMon as Pope Francis’ plane touches down @WTOP #PopeInDC pic.twitter.com/OHyPd70FtR
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) September 22, 2015
Crowd gathers awaiting arrival of Pope Francis at Vatican Embassy on Mass Ave NW #wtop pic.twitter.com/50wd4mQo9e
— Dick Uliano (@DickUliano) September 22, 2015
