pope visit to america

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Fifty years of papal visits to the United States

How the Guardian reported papal tours of America over the past half-century

• Pope Francis journeys to Washington to begin historic US visit
• Have you met the pope? Share your experiences

Fifty years after the first papal visit to the US, Pope Francis makes a three-city tour of the country which includes attending the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

The first reigning pontiff to visit the United States was Pope Paul VI, who made a one-day stop in New York to address to the United Nations in 1965. Here he called on the UN to declare ‘ no more war .’

The Guardian’s response to the speech was to be found in the editorial, Peace-loving is not enough . Elsewhere in the paper, Hella Pick noted that the Pope’s long handshake and seemingly friendly conversation with the Soviet foreign minister was subject to wide comment. Meanwhile, when the pope celebrated mass at the Yankee Stadium, Alistair Cooke reported that the ‘great, garish pit [was ] translated overnight into a circular cathedral.’

Fourteen years later, Pope John Paul II made the first of seven visits to the US.

After a 2,300 mile tour of America that included a visit to Harlem and a speech endorsing the conservative line on sex issues , Pope John Paul II became the first pontiff to visit the White House.

Other visits included a stopover in Fairbanks, Alaska in May 1984 , where he met President Ronald Reagan.

In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI visited Washington and New York. Making his first visit to the US since his election in 2005, he was greeted on the White House lawn by the president, George Bush, plus a 21-gun salute and a serenade from a world-class opera singer.

The 265th pope gave a resounding endorsement of the role of religion in democratic society telling a crowd of thousands that ‘the need for global solidarity is as urgent as ever’ in an age of extremism and terror. The following day he addressed the UN general assembly .

Visiting the US at the same time was Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, but, as Stephen Bates noted, he was never going to dominate the news agenda as ‘ passing popes will always outrank prime ministers .’

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Papal Visits to the White House

President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter welcome Pope John Paul II into the White House on October 6, 1979.

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Papal visits to the White House have been rare—with Pope Francis' recent visit, just three popes in history have visited 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This most recent visit provides an opportunity to look back at the pontiffs who have visited the President’s House.

On October 6, 1979, Pope John Paul II arrived in an open-topped limousine, driving through the Northwest gate as he waved to onlookers on Pennsylvania Avenue. President Jimmy Carter, First Lady Rosalynn Carter and Vice President and Mrs. Mondale greeted the pope under the red-carpeted North Portico . The pontiff kissed 11 year-old Amy Carter.

Carter held a private meeting with Pope John Paul in the Oval office for an hour and then emerged before 6,000 people gathered on the South Lawn. “Niech bedzie bog Pochwalony” (May God be praised,) said Carter in Polish. The pontiff responded, “It gives me great joy to be the first Pope in history to come to the capital of this nation, and I thank almighty God for this blessing.”

The president and pope ascended the South stairs to the Blue Room and then on to the Second Floor. They came out to wave on the Truman Balcony and, after delivering a papal blessing, the pope returned to the South Lawn to mingle and to shake hands with the crowd for 20 minutes. The pope left the White House about 5:00 p.m.

President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush greet Pope Benedict XVI upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on April 15, 2008.

The second pope to visit the White House was Pope Benedict XVI on April 16, 2008, which also happened to be the pontiff’s 81st birthday. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush greeted the pope at Andrews Air Force Base, a departure from the tradition of the president and his family greeting official guests for the first time at the White House.

At the arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, soprano Kathleen Battle sang a version of “The Lord’s Prayer” before about 13,500 guests. The pope received a 21-gun salute and the U.S. Marine Band played “Inno e Marcia Pontificale” (the national anthem of the Holy See) and “The Star Spangled Banner.” Pope Benedict and President Bush both spoke briefly and then were accompanied by the First Lady as they walked up the steps to the balcony next to the Blue Room, where the pope spread his arms and received cheers.

Inside the Blue Room, the president surprised the pope with a birthday cake before they went into the Oval Office for a private meeting.

President Barack Obama and Pope Francis shake hands during the pontiff's arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on September 23, 2015.

On September 23, 2015, Pope Francis became only the third pontiff in history to pay a visit to the White House. He arrived on September 22 at Andrews Air Force Base and was greeted by the President Barack Obama and First Family and Vice President Joe Biden and his family on the tarmac.

The official arrival ceremony for the pope was held on the morning of September 23, 2015, on the South Lawn of the White House. With a crowd of an estimated 11,000, Pope Francis and President Obama stood before an honor guard as a band played the United States national anthem and "Inno e Marcia Pontificale," the national anthem for the Holy See. The president and pontiff both made remarks covering topics such as immigration, Cuba-U.S. relations, religious tolerance, and climate change.

After the pope’s speech , President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama stopped with the pope on a balcony and waved to the crowd before heading inside. The president and pontiff then met privately for about 40 minutes in the Oval Office.

Gift exchanges are customary between U.S. officials and foreign dignitaries. The president presented his guest with a one-of-a-kind sculpture of an ascending dove made from metal taken from the Statue of Liberty, a 19th century key from the Maryland home of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born American to become a saint, and wood which once grew in the White House garden. Pope Francis gave President Obama a bronze bas-relief of the medallion of the World Meeting of Families, the Catholic rally in Philadelphia that was the original reason for the papal visit to the U.S.

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Pope Francis May Visit United States in September After UN Invitation

The possible trip to the United States could change the Pope’s already-busy September travel schedule.

ROME — Pope Francis is reportedly considering returning to the United States in September to speak before the United Nations General Assembly.

The news was initially reported by the French Catholic newspaper La Croix and has not yet been officially confirmed by the Vatican. A source from the Vatican Secretariat of State, meanwhile, told CNA this week that “a formal invitation has arrived from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Pope Francis seems inclined to respond positively.”

If the New York trip occurs, the pope would visit the United Nations during its “Summit of the Future,” which the international body will convene from Sept. 22 to 23.

The possible trip to the United States could change the Pope’s already-busy September travel schedule. The Holy See Press Office has announced that Pope Francis will be in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore from Sept. 2-13.

Pope Francis is also expected at the end of September in Belgium, where he is scheduled to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the University of Louvain, which has been divided into two different linguistic entities since the 1960s. The Holy Father told Mexican television network Televisa last December that he intended to travel to Belgium in 2024.

According to a source familiar with the planning of papal trips, Pope Francis' trip to Louvain could be postponed to 2025. The postponement of the journey would leave room at the end of September for the visit to the United Nations.

During his planned stay in Belgium, Pope Francis will also celebrate Mass at the national shrine of Koelkenberg. There are also rumors that the pontiff will stop in Luxembourg, one of the small nations favored by the pope for trips to Europe. Luxembourg officials have denied the visit, but the Vatican Secretariat of State has indicated the trip is possible

The September summit's objective is to strengthen the structures of the United Nations and global “governance” to face more fully the “new and old challenges” of the coming years, the UN has said. 

The meeting will lead a “pact for the future” to advance rapidly toward realizing the UN’s “Sustainable Development Goals.”

In a meeting with students in April, Pope Francis described the summit as “an important event,” with the Holy Father urging students to help ensure the plan “becomes concrete and is implemented through processes and actions for change.”

Pope Francis, who is 87, has undergone two surgeries in the last four years and is under regular medical screening. A planned trip to Abu Dhabi to participate in the COP28 meeting was canceled last December due to health reasons. 

The Pope was last in the United States in 2015, during which he also appeared before the United Nations.

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Pope Paul VI rides into New York’s Yankee Stadium on his Popemobile in 1965.

• POPE FRANCIS IN THE U.S.

Three Popes Have Visited the United States—Here's What They Said

If previous papal visits are any indication, Pope Francis will arrive with a clear-cut mission.

Pope Francis is the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church , but his visit to the United States next week makes him just the fourth pope to step foot on American soil.  

The first three to make the trip were the last three long-serving popes—the list excludes John Paul I, who was pope for just over a month—a sign of how important U.S. visits have become for church leaders. “Popes come here not just to speak to the United States, but to speak to the world,” says Stephen Schneck, Director of the Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies at The Catholic University of America .

Here’s what happened when previous popes visited:

Pope Paul VI

The first pope to visit the United States, Pope Paul VI arrived on an ambitious mission in 1965. It was a time of mounting obstacles to world peace—the middle of the Vietnam War, Cold War tensions rising, and yet another vote set for the United Nations to include China as a member. Paul wanted to “invoke the consciousness of the world,” says Schneck.

( Take an amazing 360° tour of St. Peter’s in Vatican City from your chair .)

Paul addressed the United Nations at its New York City headquarters. “It is peace—peace—that has to guide the destiny of the nations of all mankind,” he said, urging member states to move toward disarmament. “A person cannot love with offensive weapons in his hands.”

President Jimmy Carter talks with Pope John Paul II at the White House in 1979.

Pope John Paul II

With five official visits to the United States and two stopovers in Alaska, John Paul II visited the country more than any other Holy Father. “He was very much a pope on a plane," says Schneck, making official visits in 1979, 1987, 1993, 1995, 1999 and visiting more cities than any other pope—from Miami to San Francisco, from San Antonio to Detroit.

John Paul wanted to visit followers where they lived, focusing on young people. He felt “the future of the church lay in cultivating a relationship between the church and the youth of the world,” says Schneck. In August 1993, John Paul brought World Youth Day, an evangelical event he had staged around the globe, to Denver, Colorado.

( Read 10 of Pope Francis’s most provocative quotes. )

During the festival he visited Mount Saint Vincent , a facility that cares for young people with special needs. “You are our love, you are our joy, you are our greatest concern," he told children there. "For your sake, we will work honestly and hard to build a better world, a true civilization of love.”

Pope Benedict XVI arrives at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York in 2008.

Pope Benedict XVI

The most recent papal visit to the U.S. came in 2008, when Pope Benedict XVI arrived with the goal of restating church teachings for the modern world.

He held mass at Washington D.C.’s Nationals Park, the city’s baseball stadium, and at New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral, along with a prayer service at the site of the World Trade Center. He also spoke at UN headquarters, as each past pope to visit the U.S. had done.

At the Nationals Park mass, Benedict addressed growing concerns in the U.S. about sexual abuse by priests. “It is in the context of this hope born of God’s love and fidelity that I acknowledge the pain which the Church in America has experienced as a result of the sexual abuse of minors," he said. "No words of mine could describe the pain and harm inflicted by such abuse.”

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Papal visit 2015, pope francis' 2015 visit to the u.s..

Here on this page, you will find photos, videos, resources, the text of speeches, and other special moments from Pope Francis' 2015 visit to the United States.

Virtual Pilgrimage (PDF)

Pope Francis visits America

Complete Catholic News Service video coverage of the historic visit to the United States by Pope Francis in September 2015.

9 Ways People Participated in Pope Francis's 2015 US Visit

Hundreds of Thousands saw Pope Francis when he visited the US in September, 2015. Here are the some of the ways those who did not get to see him in person "virtually" participated in the events.

• Took part in a "Virtual Pilgrimage" with  these prayers  as the Holy Father made his way to more than a dozen different locations in Washington, DC, New York City, and Philadelphia.
• Learned about the places Pope Francis visited by following his journey on this  interactive map .
• Become "Pope Francis literate" by reading his two encyclical letters:  Lumen Fidei  and  Laudato Si
• Stayed up-to-date and read insightful commentary by connecting with the only news source founded and supported by the US Bishops,  Catholic News Service . See the latest in the CNS feed below.
• Held a Papal Visit Watch Party using the USCCB live stream in English with audio commentary here or watched  video on demand .
• Received the latest est papal visit news and more by downloading the  Catholic Church app. Responded to Pope Francis's call to enounter by reaching out to those in need, supporting parish or community charitable efforts, acting to promote life, human dignity, families and religious freedom, and by caring for creation.
• Invited a non-Catholic or non-practicing Catholic friend to Mass following the pope's visit.
• Engaged in the USCCB's award-winning social media effort with the hash tags #PopeinUS and #PapaEnUSA. 
• Supported the many people who worked to make Pope Francis' historic US visit a success by praying for them to the Blessed Virgin under her title   Mary, Undoer of Knots  (a favorite of Pope Francis).

Liturgical Texts for Masses and Prayer Services

Media guide, resources, speeches, and homilies, papal-visit-2015-pocket-media-guide.

Papal-Visit2015-Media-Resources

Wednesday-9-23-mass-canonization-serra, wednesday-9-23-midday-prayer-st-matthew, thursday-9-24-vespers-st-patrick, friday-9-25-multi-religious-ground-zero, friday-9-25-mass-madison-square-garden, world-meeting-families-2015-congress-liturgies, papal-mass-program-sunday-9-27-15, papal-mass-program-saturday-9-26-15, papal visit speeches and homilies, wednesday, september 23, 2015.

• White House Welcome Ceremony, speech
• St. Matthew's Cathedral, Midday Prayer with US Bishops,homily
• Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Square, Holy Mass of Canonization, homily

Thursday, September 24, 2015

• United States Capitol, Visit to US Congress, speech
• St. Patrick's Parish (Washington, DC), Encounter with the Poor, speech
• St. Patrick's Cathedral (New York, NY), Vespers, homily 

Friday, September 25, 2015

• United Nations, Meeting with UN Staff, speech
• United Nations, UN General Assembly, speech 
• Ground Zero Memorial, Interreligious meeting, speech
• Harlem School, Meeting with Immigrant Families and Children, speech 
• Madison Square Garden, Holy Mass, homily 

Saturday, September 26, 2015

• Cathedral of St. Peter & Paul, Holy Mass, homily
• Independence National Park, Religious Liberty Meeting, speech
• Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Festival of Families, speech 

Sunday, September 27, 2015

• Meeting with Victims of Sexual Abuse
• St. Martin of Tours Chapel, Meeting with WMOF Bishops, speech
• Curran-Fromhold Penitentiary, Meeting with prisoners, speech 
• Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Holy Mass (WMOF Closing Mass), homily
• Atlantic Aviation (PHL Airport), Greeting of WMOF Organizers, speech 

Catechetical Resources

• Pope Francis for Children  ( Español )
• Pope Francis for Adults  ( Español )
• Blessed Junípero Serra  ( Español )

Children’s Activities

• Please Pray for Me – Coloring Sheet
• Blessed Junípero Serra – Facebook Page  ( Español )
• Coat of Arms Project  ( Español )

Prayer Resources

• Prayer of Anticipation  ( Español )

Info Sheets

• Saints Among Us in the Archdiocese of Washington  ( Español )

Lesson Plans

• Who Was Peter? ( Español )
• Who is Pope Francis? ( Español )
• What is the Mission of the Pope? ( Español )
• Why is this Visit Important? ( Español )

Grades 9-12

Adults catechesis on pope francis.

• 3 Lessons ( Español )

Papal Visits to the United States

Pope Francis  was the fourth pope to visit the theUnited States. His apostolic journey to the United States took place from September 22-27, 2015, and he visited Washington, New York and Philadelphia. Pope Francis' visit was the tenth time a pope made an apostolic journey to the United States.

Other pastoral visits from previous popes are:

Pope Benedict XVI visited the United States in 2008. His apostolic visit, April 15-20, took him to Washington and New York.

Pope John Paul II visited the United States seven times:

• 1979 (10/1 – 10/7) Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington and Des Moines, Iowa.
• 1981 (2/27) Anchorage, Alaska – stopover/several hours 
• 1984 (5/2) Fairbanks, Alaska – stopover/several hours
• 1987 (9/10 – 9/19) Miami, Columbia, SC, New Orleans, San Antonio, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit 
• 1993 (8/12 – 8/15) Denver (World Youth Day)
• 1995 (10/4 – 10/8) Newark, NJ, New York (including Brooklyn), Baltimore
• 1999 (1/26 – 1/27) St. Louis

In October 1965, Paul VI became the first pope to visit the United States. His trip included a first time papal visit to the United Nations.

Pope Francis was the fourth pope to meet with a U.S. president during a visit to the United States. Other popes who have met with a U.S. president during a U.S. visit are:

Pope Benedict XVI:

• April 16, 2008, on the occasion of Pope Benedict XVI's 81st birthday, President George W. Bush welcomed Pope Benedict to the White House. This was the second time in history that a pope visited the White House.

Pope John Paul II met with a U.S. president during each of the following visits to the United States:

• 1979 – President Jimmy Carter (The White House, Washington)
• 1984 – President Ronald Reagan (Fairbanks, Alaska: first time a U.S. president and pope met outside of the White House or Vatican)
• 1987 – President Ronald Reagan (Los Angeles)
• 1993 – President Bill Clinton(Denver)
• 1995 – President Bill Clinton (Newark, NJ)
• 1999 – President Bill Clinton (St. Louis)

Pope Paul VI:

• 1965 -- President Lyndon Johnson (New York City)

Pope Francis' visit to the United Nations was the fourth time a pope addresses the United Nations while visiting the United States.

Pope Francis

• United Nations Headquarters (New York),September 25, 2015

Benedict XVI

• United Nations Headquarters (New York), April 18, 2008

John Paul II

• United Nations Headquarters (New York), October 2, 1979
• United Nations Headquarters (New York), October 5, 1995

Pope Paul VI

• United Nations Headquarters (New York), October 4, 1965

*Sources: www.usccb.org , Vatican.va

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Pope Francis Itinerary & Schedule in DC, New York, and Philadelphia

Washington, dc     sept. 22–24.

Arrival from Cuba

His arrival at Andrews Air Force Base marks the first time the pope will set foot on U.S. soil. He will be greeted by President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill.

Welcoming ceremony

Pope Francis will appear at an official welcoming ceremony on the White House South Lawn. He will meet with President Obama following the South Lawn appearance.

Vatican Pool/Getty Images

Papal parade

After leaving the White House, Pope Francis will travel in the "popemobile" along 15th Street, Constitution Avenue and 17th Street, NW. The parade will be free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Gates will be opening for the Ellipse and the National Mall at 4:00 a.m.

Meeting with U.S. bishops

His Holiness will lead a midday prayer from the Liturgy of Hours, alongside Bishops from the United States at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.

Holy Mass and canonization of Junipero Serra

Approximately 25,000 people are expected to attend this mass and it will serve as a canonization for Franciscan missionary Junipero Serra, a Spanish-born Franciscan Friar known for starting nine Spanish missions in California in the 1700s.

George Rose/Getty Images

U.S. Capitol

Pope Francis will address a joint meeting of Congress, making him the first pope in history to do so. Video screens will be set up on the West Front of the Capitol toward the National Mall so thousands can watch the speech from outside.

Visit to the Charitable Center of St. Patrick Parish and meeting with the homeless

The pontiff will make a brief visit to the oldest Catholic church in the nation’s capital. Following the visit to St. Patrick's Parish, Pope Francis will give a blessing to clients of the St. Maria Meals program of the Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Washington. The pope is expected to enjoy a meal of chicken, green beans, carrots and pasta salad with the charity’s homeless clients.

Departure for New York

Pope Francis heads to the Empire State from the same base where he landed on Tuesday.

New York     Sept. 24–26

Arrival in New York

An hour later, Pope Francis arrives at JFK airport in New York City. The Diocese of Brooklyn picked five Catholic school students who will greet Pope Francis when he touches down.

Evening prayer (Vespers)

The pope will lead the evening prayer at a Vespers service held in the St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The event is only open to clergy of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, but a live stream will be available. Pope Francis will be the fourth pontiff to have visited the renowned cathedral. The young students will give the pontiff a bouquet filled with a list of prayers and good works from Catholic school students from Brooklyn and Queens.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Address to the United Nations

The United Nations is used to having high-profile attendees but Pope Francis will be breaking the mold on Friday. He is expected to address the General Assembly on strategies to combat poverty and protect the environment. His visit coincides with the UN's 70th anniversary.

Multi-religious service at 9/11 Memorial

The pontiff will visit the 9/11 Memorial site in lower Manhattan. He will then meet with local representatives of the world religions inside the museum's Foundation Hall, as part of a multi-religious meeting for peace.

Justin Lane-Pool/Getty Images

Visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School

Pope Francis will then visit a third grade class at Our Lady Queen of Angels, an elementary school in East Harlem.

Papal procession

A trip to “The Big Apple” wouldn’t be complete without a stroll through Central Park, so Pope Francis will motorcade between 72nd and 60th streets. More than 93,000 people entered a lottery for a free pair of tickets to the processional, and 80,000 tickets were given out.

The pope will hold Mass in the same famous arena that houses playoff games and sold-out concerts. Madison Square Garden can hold up to 20,000 people.

Departure for Philadelphia

Pope will travel by closed car to a downtown heliport, to catch a helicopter to JFK.

Philadelphia     Sept. 26–27

Arrival in Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s Archbishop Charles Chaput, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and the mayor of Philly Michael Nutter will roll out the red carpet for the Catholic leader. Pope Francis will be the second pope to visit the city.

This Mass is closed to the public and tickets have been limited to 1,600 people. The cathedral is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the largest Catholic church in the state.

John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images

Visit to Independence Mall

Standing in front of America’s birthplace, the pope will give a speech about immigration and religious freedom. Following his speech, Francis plans on touring Independence Hall, which is expected to include a stop at the Liberty Bell.

Festival of families

The Festival of Families is the closing ceremony for the World Meetings of Families conference. Actor Mark Wahlberg will be hosting the outdoor ceremony and performers include Aretha Franklin, Andrea Bocelli, and the Fray. The pope will watch the celebration, hear from six families from different continents and give a speech.

St. Charles is where Pope Francis will sleep while he’s in Philly. The seminary prepares men for the priesthood and the diaconate.

Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility

Pope Francis will visit the city’s largest jail, where most of the inmates are serving a maximum of two years or awaiting trial. The pope will give a speech in the gymnasium and after he’ll individually greet some of the 100 prisoners.

Holy Mass concluding the World Meeting of Families

Before the pope gives the Holy Mass, he’ll ride down the mile-long street in his “popemobile.” This open-air Mass is the main event and is expected to attract over a million people.

Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Visit with organizers, volunteers and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families

Approximately 500 people will bid Pope Francis farewell as he heads back to the Vatican. Vice President Biden and his family will lead the ceremony before His Holiness boards his return flight.

Departure for Rome

Arrivederci Pope Francis! The pope will hold an on-board press conference before taking off. His plane is slated to touch down on Monday.

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Pope Francis may visit U.S. in September to speak at United Nations

Pope Francis is reportedly considering returning to the United States in September to speak before the United Nations General Assembly.

The news was initially reported by the French Catholic newspaper La Croix and has not yet been officially confirmed by the Vatican. A source from the Vatican Secretariat of State, meanwhile, told CNA this week that “a formal invitation has arrived from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Pope Francis seems inclined to respond positively.”

If the New York trip occurs, the pope would visit the United Nations during its “Summit of the Future,” which the international body will convene from Sept. 22–23.

The possible trip to the United States could change the pope’s already-busy September travel schedule. The Holy See Press Office has announced that Pope Francis will be in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore from Sept. 2–13.

Pope Francis is also expected at the end of September in Belgium, where he is scheduled to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the University of Louvain, which has been divided into two different linguistic entities since the 1960s. The Holy Father told Mexican television network Televisa last December that he intended to travel to Belgium in 2024.

According to a source familiar with the planning of papal trips, Pope Francis’ trip to Louvain could be postponed to 2025. The postponement of the journey would leave room at the end of September for the visit to the United Nations.

During his planned stay in Belgium, Pope Francis will also celebrate Mass at the national shrine of Koelkenberg. There are also rumors that the pontiff will stop in Luxembourg, one of the small nations favored by the pope for trips to Europe. Luxembourg officials have denied the visit, but the Vatican Secretariat of State has indicated the trip is possible.

The September summit’s objective is to strengthen the structures of the United Nations and global “governance” to face more fully the “new and old challenges” of the coming years, the U.N. has said.

The meeting will lead a “pact for the future” to advance rapidly toward realizing the U.N.’s “sustainable development goals.”

In a meeting with students in April, Pope Francis described the summit as “an important event,” with the Holy Father urging students to help ensure the plan “becomes concrete and is implemented through processes and actions for change.”

Pope Francis, who is 87, has undergone two surgeries in the last four years and is under regular medical screening. A planned trip to Abu Dhabi to participate in the COP28 meeting was canceled last December due to health reasons.

The pope was last in the United States in 2015, during which he also appeared before the United Nations.

Article Tags

Papal Visits , Pope Francis , United Nations

Andrea Gagliarducci

Catholic news agency.

Andrea Gagliarducci writes for Catholic News Agency .

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A blog of the U.S. National Archives

Pieces of History

Papal visits to the United States

Pope Francis’s visit this September marks the 10th time a Pope has visited the United States.

Since the Federal Government is heavily involved in a papal visit, and the National Archives holds the records of the Federal Government, we have documents related to all these events.

The first Pope to visit the United States was Pope Paul VI, who met with President Lyndon Johnson at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City. This was Paul VI’s only visit to the United States.

Nearly 15 years passed before another papal visit. In 1979, Pope John Paul II came to the United States and became the first Pope to visit the White House. Pope John Paul II visited the United States a total seven of times.

On April 16, 2008, on his 81st birthday, Pope Benedict XVI visited President George W. Bush at the White House. This was the most recent papal visit until this week.

Search our Online Catalog for more documents and photographs of papal and other dignitaries’ visits.

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50 Years Of Pope Visits To The United States

Reporter, HuffPost

Pope Francis waves to faithfuls gathered in St. Peter's Square following his Sunday Angelus prayer from the window of the pontiff studio on August 16, 2015 at the Vatican.

Pope Francis will make his first visit to the United States in September, with stops in Washington, New York and Philadelphia. His trip will add to the 50-year history of pope visits to the U.S.

Pope Paul VI made the first papal visit to the U.S. in October 1965. He addressed the United Nations General Assembly, attended the New York World's Fair and celebrated Mass at Yankee Stadium. He also met with President Lyndon Johnson.

In October 1979, Pope John Paul II made his first of seven trips to the U.S. He visited Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Des Moines, and met President Jimmy Carter in Washington.

In February 1981, John Paul II spent several hours on a stopover in Anchorage, Alaska, after canonizing the first Filipino saint, Lorenzo Ruiz , in Manila. Three years later, he met President Ronald Reagan during another stopover in Alaska, while en route to canonize 103 martyrs in Seoul, South Korea.

John Paul II's longest U.S. visit was in September 1987, when he made stops in Miami; New Orleans; San Antonio, Texas; Phoenix; Los Angeles; Salinas, California; and Pontiac, Michigan. In 1993, he celebrated Mass at World Youth Day and met with President Bill Clinton in Denver.

John Paul II visited New York City, New Jersey and Baltimore in 1995, and met again with Clinton. His final visit was in January 1999, when he celebrated Mass with more than 100,000 people at a football dome in St. Louis.

Pope Benedict XVI visited the U.S. once, in April 2008. He met with President George W. Bush at the White House and visited New York City, where he offered a blessing at the World Trade Center site.

Here's a look back at 50 years of pope visits to the U.S.:

Pope John Paul II gestures to the crowd during his trip to the United States, on Oct. 6, 1979.

Young girl receives communion from Pope John Paul II as they celebrate Mass at Aqeduct Race Track in Jamaica, Queens, on Oct. 6, 1995.

Pope John Paul II says evening prayers in the Chapel of St. Peter and St. Paul at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, during his 1995 visit to the U.S.

Pope John Paul II leaves St. Patrick's Cathedral on Oct. 7, 1995, in New York surrounded by security and police as he heads for an impromptu walk down Fifth Avenue.

Pope John Paul II prepares communion during an outdoor Mass in New York's Central Park, Oct., 7, 1995.

Pope John Paul II during Mass in Central Park on Oct. 8, 1995.

Pope John Paul II greets President Bill Clinton during his visit to St. Louis in 1999.

Pope Benedict XVI waves to supporters after exiting the popemobile at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York, U.S., on Sunday, April 20, 2008.

Pope Benedict XVI gestures as he arrived for a mass at the Yankee Stadium in New York on April 20, 2008.

Pope Benedict XVI waves after the conclusion of Mass at Yankee Stadium in New York on April 20, 2008.

Pope Benedict XVI gives a blessing with holy water during ceremonies at Ground Zero on his last day in New York on April 20, 2008.

Pope Benedict XVI visits Ground Zero on his final day in New York City, April 20, 2008.

Pope Benedict XVI speaks at JFK International Airport, joined by Vice President Richard and Mrs. Lynne Cheney during his farewell ceremony on April 21, 2008.

Also on HuffPost:

Popes Who Shook The World

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The First Time a Pope Visited the U.S. Was Much More Complicated

A s the the world will see clearly this week, the United States knows how to make a big deal out of a papal visit. When Pope Francis arrives in Washington, D.C. Tuesday, it will begin days of fanfare everywhere from the White House to the United Nations.

Things were far more complicated when the first-ever papal visit to the U.S. took place almost exactly 50 years ago.

In 1965, Pope Paul VI planned a trip to New York in order to address the then-relatively-new United Nations and urge peace, especially as conflict between India and Pakistan was heating up.

The challenge for U.S. officials was that the nation didn’t have formal diplomatic relations with the Vatican. Many Americans believed that to do so would violate the separation of church and state and could give the Holy See undue influence. (Washington changed its mind in the early ’80s.) That lack for recognition meant that President Lyndon Johnson couldn’t treat Pope Paul VI like a visiting head of state. But nor could he ignore him. Snubbing the pope on his first ever visit to the U.S. would have been taken as an insult by Catholics the world over.

The solution? A clever bit of timing–or political ruse, depending on one’s perspective.

The White House said Johnson was already planning in New York for meetings. Given that, it would stand to reason that the two would find some to talk. Sure enough, the pope and the president met at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel to discuss how to make the world a more peaceful place. Other highlights of the papal visit included paying calls at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (where Pope Francis will attend Vespers on Thursday) and leading a Mass at Yankee Stadium (Pope Francis’ equivalent will be at Madison Square Garden).

And those aren’t the only ties between Pope Francis’ modern visit and Pope Paul’s inaugural trip: the dates for Paul VI’s visit to the United States were chosen, as TIME reported back then, to coincide with the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, on the idea that he was the namesake of San Francisco, which was where the United Nations was born. Of course, Saint Francis also inspired a certain someone who’ll be speaking at the U.N. in New York on Friday.

See Photos of Every Papal Visit to the U.S. in History

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Pope Francis invites Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and other Bay State leaders to speak at Vatican Climate Summit

BOSTON — According to scientists at the Vatican , “the Climate Crisis is upon us” and it will get worse before it gets better.

In light of that disconcerting finding and at the invitation of the Pope, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Bay State Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer, and UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco have all been asked to join the Holy Father next month for a “Vatican Climate Summit.”

Focused on shifting the conversation around preventing climate change and toward resiliency, the international conference will bring together state leaders, climate scientists, social scientists, and philanthropists from across the globe to address a problem which will impact all people regardless of their faith or distance from Rome.

“This is a global social issue and one intimately related to the dignity of human life. The Bishops of the United States have expressed very well this social meaning of our concern about climate change, which goes beyond a merely ecological approach, because ‘our care for one another and our care for the earth are intimately bound together,’” Holy Father Pope Francis wrote in his invitations. “Climate change is one of the principal challenges facing society and the global community. The effects of climate change are borne by the most vulnerable people, whether at home or around the world.”

According to governor’s office, the event, scheduled from May 15 to May 17, is being organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, and the Pope will personally preside over the summit.

Healey and Wu have been asked to address the summit, with the governor set to discuss “Governing in the Age of Climate Change” and the mayor “Governance, Health and Energy.” Healey said it is an “immense honor” to receive the invitation from the Vatican.

“Massachusetts is a global leader in the fight against climate change and the transition to a clean energy economy, and that’s in large part thanks to our innovative elected leaders and universities like UMass Boston. This is a global problem that cannot be solved by any one nation alone, and we look forward to collaborating with the mayors, governors, academic institutions, and scientists on solutions at the summit. We are deeply grateful for His Holiness Pope Francis for hosting this important gathering and for his leadership in bringing people together to address climate change,” Healey said in a statement.

Bay State leaders will speak alongside Ram Ramanathan, a Distinguished Research Professor at UC San Diego and climate solutions scholar at Cornell University known for discovering the greenhouse effect of halocarbons which eventually led to the global shift away from the use of CFCs, or chlorofluorocarbons.

According to Ramanathan, with most of the world less than inclined to take action to stop the changing climate, the situation will only get worse for the next 20 years, and the political conversations have to shift away from just mitigation to adaptation.

“Governors and mayors from across the world will benefit from their leadership and the best practices being implemented in Massachusetts and Boston. We will bring out a planetary protocol for climate resilience to benefit all the world’s regions,” he said in a statement.

©2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at bostonherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Pope Francis Visited Washington

Here's what you need to know.

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The Schedule

For up-to-date information about road closures and security announcements for Washington, D.C., New York, and Philadelphia, please visit www.secretservice.gov/events/pope/ .

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

4:00 PM: 

Pope Francis arrives in D.C. at Joint Base Andrews.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

White House Arrival Ceremony and personal meeting with President Obama (watch it live here at WH.gov/popevisit).

The White House Arrival Ceremony is not open to the public. Guests must have a ticket to attend.

Following the Pope’s meeting with the President, he will tour the Ellipse and parts of the National Mall.

There are no tickets required for the papal parade, but security around the secure area will be strict. Gates will open at 4 a.m. and close promptly at 10 a.m. after which no one will be allowed in the secure area. For more information on the parade route and access, visit the Archdiocese of Washington's website here .

There will be four entrances to the parade viewing area, including:

• East of the Ellipse on Constitution Avenue
• West of the Ellipse on Constitution Avenue
• East of the Washington Monument near Jefferson Drive and 15th Streets NW
• West of the Washington Monument near 17th Street NW

Midday Prayer with U.S. bishops at Saint Matthew’s Cathedral in D.C.

This event will be closed to the public

Junipero Serra Canonization Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Tickets to the Mass will be distributed through local parishes. The Catholic University Campus will be closed to members of the public during the Mass.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Speech to the Senate and House of Representatives (Joint Session of Congress). The speech will be broadcast live on jumbotrons on the West Lawn of the Capitol.

Visit to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in D.C. and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington

After his visit to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in D.C. and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, the Pope will travel to New York.

Departure for New York from Joint Base Andrews (D.C.)

Arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York)

Evening prayer at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (New York)

Friday, September 25, 2015

Address to United Nations General Assembly

Multi-religious service at 9/11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center

Visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem

Papal motorcade through Central Park

Madison Square Garden Mass

Saturday, September 26, 2015

On the morning of Saturday, September 26 to the Pope will travel from New York to Philadelphia, the final stop on his trip to the United States.

Departure for Philadelphia from John F. Kennedy International Airport

Arrival in Atlantic Aviation hangar at Philadelphia International Airport Philadelphia

Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul

Visit to Independence Mall

Visit to Festival of Families at Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Prayer Vigil with World Meeting of Families.

Access to certain areas of the parkway will require tickets, but tickets are not necessary to attend this day’s events. Forty jumbotrons, located down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and other locations in the city, will show the events live, including the public coverage of Pope Francis. For more information about attending this event, visit their website here .

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Papal meeting with Bishops at St. Martin’s Chapel, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. This event will be closed to the public.

Papal Mass for World Meeting of Families

Visit with organizers, volunteers and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families at Atlantic Aviation.

Departure for return to Rome.

Answers to Questions About the Pope's Visit

  when will the pope visit the white house,   how can i participate in the arrival of the pope at the white house.

• Gates open at 5:30AM and will close promptly at 8:15AM
• Please arrive no later than 6:30AM to guarantee your admission to the event
• There will not be any parking available on the White House complex
• Late arrivals will not be permitted—gates will close promptly at 8:15 AM
• Tickets are required for admission—members of the public will be turned away without an event ticket.
• The event will take place rain or shine
• Lost tickets will not be replaced
• Your event ticket will admit ONE person (children of all ages will need an event ticket to attend)
• Tablets, iPads, Tripods, Monopods, and Camera Sticks
• Large Bags, Backpacks, and Suitcases
• Drones and other Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• Animals other than Service/Guide Dogs
• Bicycles, Folding Chairs, Balloons, Coolers, Glass, Thermal or Metal Containers
• Signs or Flags of Any Kind
• Any Pointed Object(s), Including Pocket Knives
• Strollers and Diaper Bags
• Food, Liquids (water will be provided), Aerosols, Tobacco Products, Lighters, Personal Grooming Items
• Firearms, Ammunition, Fireworks, Laser Pointers, Stun Guns/Tasers, Mace/Pepper Spray, Toy Weapons or Knives of Any Kind
• Any Other Items Determined to be Potential Safety Hazards

  Will the Pope’s arrival ceremony be broadcast online?

  what will the pope and president obama discuss.

• Caring for the marginalized and the poor
• Advancing economic opportunity for all
• Serving as good stewards of the environment
• Protecting religious minorities and promoting religious freedom around the world
• Welcoming and integrating immigrants and refugees into our communities

  I’m a member of the Press. How do I obtain credentials to cover the Pope’s visit to the White House?

  where can i watch the pope's visit online,   where can i get information about getting around washington, dc during pope francis' visit, generic expanding thank-you banner with share buttons.

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The New York Times

U.s. | pope francis’ visit to america, in pictures, pope francis’ visit to america, in pictures.

SEPT. 23, 2015

During the pope’s first trip to the United States, Catholics and non-Catholics alike navigate crowds in three cities to catch a glimpse of the “people’s pope.”

September 27

Ron Cianci, an inmate at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia, was blessed by Pope Francis during his visit there on Sunday.

Todd Heisler/The New York Times

Francis met with a selected group of inmates and their families, as well as with members of the prison’s staff.

A woman waiting along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for Francis to arrive for his final Mass in the United States.

Eric Thayer for The New York Times

Members of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia from Nashville waiting for Francis’ Mass.

Sam Hodgson for The New York Times

The Rev. Daniele Rebeggiani from the Shrine of St. Jude Catholic Church in  Rockville, Md., led a group in songs before the Mass.

A child waiting for the Mass.

Damon Winter/The New York Times

Francis arriving for the Mass in his popemobile.

 Cheers and smartphones greeted Francis.

Members of the clergy during the Mass.

Julia Stopper clutching her rosary during the Mass.

The crowd on the parkway for Francis’ Mass.

David Alexander Cantu of Texas praying during the Mass.

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. said farewell to Francis at Philadelphia International Airport. 

Richard Perry/The New York Times

Francis leaving Philadelphia for the Vatican on Sunday night.

September 26

Pope Francis was greeted on Saturday as he arrived at Philadelphia International Airport.

Gabriella Demczuk for The New York Times

Waiting for Francis to depart John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Francis stumbled as he walked up the stairs to board his flight to Philadelphia.

In Philadelphia, many arrived early in the hope of seeing the pope. Some slept behind street barricades Saturday morning.

David Goldman/Associated Press

Francis entered the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia for a morning Mass.

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Many prayed as they watched the Mass being broadcast at Benjamin Franklin Parkway where Francis will appear later Saturday.

People waited for Francis to appear at Independence Mall.

Francis kissed a child from the crowd when he arrived at Independence Hall.

Crowds pressed against barricades at Benjamin Franklin Parkway where the Festival of Families is taking place.

People leaving Independence Hall signed a drawing of Francis after his brief speech there.

A group of nuns waited for Francis to arrive at the Festival of Families. 

Francis passed by Philadelphia’s City Hall on the way to the Festival of Families.

Francis and his popemobile lit up Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the Festival of Families celebration.

Mauricio Ibarra and his daughters Raquel and Laura-Maria watched Francis’ papal parade on a large screen.

Francis embraced the son of a Ukrainian couple who spoke to the pope at the Festival of Families.

September 25

Pope Francis at the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Pope Francis arriving Friday at the General Assembly of the United Nations.  “Every one of these political, juridical and technical advances is a path towards attaining the ideal of human fraternity and a means for its greater realization,” he said.

Francis prayed at the museum by the work “Trying to Remember the Color of the Sky on That September Morning,” by Spencer Finch.

Pool photo by Susan Watts

Franciscan sisters sang with students at Our Lady Queen of Angels Elementary School in Harlem.

Karsten Moran for The New York Times

Police officers lined the rooftops at second Avenue and East 112th Street in Harlem.

Before stepping inside the school, Francis walked along a security gate, greeting well-wishers and patiently taking selfies.

The line to see the pope in Central Park grew to massive proportions, despite the limited tickets provided by the city.

Piotr Redlinski for The New York Times

Nuns at Our Lady Queen of Angels School prepared for the arrival of the pope by leading children in song.

A woman was helped after collapsing briefly while waiting for Pope Francis at Central Park. 

Ethan Greenwald waited to see Pope Francis in Central Park. 

Sister Mary Rita, from the Little Sisters of the Poor, waits in front of Madison Square Garden.

Dorie Hagler for The New York Times

The crowd looked on at Madison Square Garden.

Mass at Madison Square Garden, in a place normally reserved for sports stars and rock celebrities, capped off the pope’s electric day.

Michael Appleton for The New York Times

Nuns at the Mass. Francis offered a reflection on what it means to live in a metropolis where one can disappear in “deafening anonymity.”

Francis recognized the challenges that come with living in big cities, like New York, but said "God is living in our cities," too.

Francis during the Mass, which was attended by about 20,000 people.

A woman and a priest during confession in the hallways of Madison Square Garden.

September 24

“Politics is, instead, an expression of our compelling need to live as one, in order to build as one, the greatest common good,” Pope Francis said.

Zach Gibson/The New York Times

The pope received an exuberant reception before addressing a joint meeting of Congress.

Stephen Crowley/The New York Times

Pope Francis looked out over the National Mall from the Speaker’s Balcony at the Capitol on Thursday.

Doug Mills/The New York Times

After his remarks, the pope addressed the plight of Washington’s homeless at St. Patrick’s Church.

Yankei Mauricio leads a group prayer near St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan while waiting for Francis to arrive.

New Yorkers gathered at the East River piers in Manhattan to watch the pope arrive by helicopter.

Security personnel were prevalent as people waited along Fifth Avenue for a peek of the pontiff.

Portraits and other mementos were left along Fifth Avenue as people lined up to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis on his way to St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Guests began arriving at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the afternoon.

The popemobile, headed for St. Patrick’s Cathedral, on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

Francis spoke at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, offering a message to live humbly and resist temptation.

The newly restored cathedral was packed with nearly 2,500 priests, nuns and lay people.

Francis waved as his car left St. Patrick’s after the prayer service.

September 23

President Obama and Pope Francis at the arrival ceremony on the South Lawn.

People lined the streets around the Ellipse and National Mall to see the pope.

Some people slept as they waited to see the pope, who arrived at the White House around 9:30 a.m.

Francis was greeted by thousands of well-wishers.

Molly Riley/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

President Obama leading Pope Francis to the Oval Office.

The popemobile passed the crowd of 11,000 people near the Ellipse.

Nearly 300 bishops from around the country arrived at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle to pray with the pope.

Francis arriving at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, where he praised the bishops for their work on behalf of immigrants.

Contract workers posed for pictures in front of the White House after the audience left the area.

Sister Mary Gabriel was screened at the entrance to the afternoon Mass canonizing the Rev. Junípero Serra.

Josh Haner/The New York Times

The young and the very young were on hand Wednesday as Francis arrived at Catholic University. 

Francis at the canonization ceremony for the Rev. Junípero Serra in Washington.

September 22

Pope Francis’ chartered Alitalia plane approaching Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Tuesday.

A red carpet was rolled out to welcome Francis.

Francis arrived here from Cuba, where he concluded a four-day visit on Tuesday morning in its heartland of religion and revolution.

The pope was greeted by the president and vice president along with their families.

Some of those present for the pope’s arrival wore their loyalties on their sleeves — and everywhere else.

 “Ho, ho, hey, hey, welcome to the U.S.A.,” the crowd chanted at one point.

The pope, who has made a point of shunning some of the perks of his position since his ascension in 2013, took a decidedly modest Fiat 500L hatchback for the ride to his quarters for the night.

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Remembering Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States

By Jonah McKeown

St. Louis, Mo., Jan 2, 2023 / 10:00 am

Pope Benedict XVI, who died Saturday, visited the United States only once, but he left a lasting impression.

The spring 2008 trip included a Mass celebrated at the then brand-new Washington Nationals baseball stadium, a solemn prayer service at Lower Manhattan’s Ground Zero, and an address to the United Nations.

Amid some commentators’ worries that the pope would use the visit to “scold” America, Benedict did not mince words during his trip, but nevertheless he endeared himself to the American public. A May 2008 survey from the Pew Research Center found that more Americans had a “favorable opinion” of the pope following his visit than they had before.

Benedict arrived in the U.S. on April 15, 2008, landing at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C. President George W. Bush greeted the pontiff on the tarmac — a notable detail, since presidents generally waited for foreign dignitaries to arrive at the White House.

Bush said in an interview with EWTN ahead of the meeting that he agreed with the pope’s observations about moral relativism, saying that it “undermines the capacity to have hopeful and free societies.”

The next day, which happened to be Benedict’s 81st birthday, the president welcomed the pope to the White House. In his opening remarks, Bush highlighted the religious roots of the United States and the values of defending life and religious freedom, telling the pope that the U.S. needs his encouragement in fostering these values.

The pope responded by expressing his pleasure to be present in the United States as a guest, indicated his “great respect for this pluralistic society,” and expressed hope that he would be able to meet with religious leaders of a wide range of traditions.

The ongoing sexual abuse crisis, spurred by numerous revelations of abuse in the U.S. in 2002, loomed large over the pope’s visit, and Benedict did not shy away from discussing it openly. Addressing the bishops of the United States later that day, April 16, the pope said the sexual abuse scandal had been “very badly handled” and said they must reach out with love and compassion to victims.

He later met with a half-dozen sexual abuse victims in the chapel of the papal embassy, telling the survivors he would pray for them, their families, and all victims of clergy sex abuse.

He also addressed the topic during his homily at Mass at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on April 17, which attracted some 46,000 attendees.

“I acknowledge the pain which the Church in America has experienced as a result of the sexual abuse of minors,” Benedict said during the homily.

“No words of mine could describe the pain and harm inflicted by such abuse. It is important that those who have suffered be given loving pastoral attention. Nor can I adequately describe the damage that has occurred within the community of the Church. Great efforts have already been made to deal honestly and fairly with this tragic situation and to ensure that children — whom our Lord loves so deeply, and who are our greatest treasure — can grow up in a safe environment. These efforts to protect children must continue. … Today I encourage each of you to do what you can to foster healing and reconciliation, and to assist those who have been hurt.”

Explaining his purpose of his trip, he said: “I have come to repeat the Apostle’s urgent call to conversion and the forgiveness of sins, and to implore from the Lord a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church in this country.”

In closing, the pope returned to his call for a renewal of the Church in America, saying that it “depends on the renewal of the practice of Penance and the growth in holiness which that sacrament both inspires and accomplishes.”

Later that day, Benedict addressed the heads of more than 200 U.S. Catholic colleges and universities and 195 Catholic dioceses’ superintendents at The Catholic University of America on the topic of Catholic identity in education.

The pope told the educators: “A university or school’s Catholic identity is not simply a question of the number of Catholic students. It is a question of conviction — do we really believe that only in the mystery of the Word made flesh does the mystery of man truly become clear? Are we ready to commit our entire self — intellect and will, mind and heart — to God? Do we accept the truth Christ reveals? Is the faith tangible in our universities and schools? Is it given fervent expression liturgically, sacramentally, through prayer, acts of charity, a concern for justice, and respect for God’s creation?”

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“Only in this way do we really bear witness to the meaning of who we are and what we uphold,” he said.

He also met with representatives of other religions, including Jewish leaders.

The pope said in his address: “The task of upholding religious freedom is never completed. New situations and challenges invite citizens and leaders to reflect on how their decisions respect this basic human right. Protecting religious freedom within the rule of law does not guarantee that peoples — particularly minorities — will be spared from unjust forms of discrimination and prejudice. This requires constant effort on the part of all members of society to ensure that citizens are afforded the opportunity to worship peaceably and to pass on their religious heritage to their children.”

Benedict then left the U.S. capital and headed to the country’s largest metropolis, New York City. After a warm welcome at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the pope headed to Manhattan to address the United Nations.

That year, 2008, marked the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the pope said in his speech that human rights are inherent to human persons and not the fruit of an “agreement.” These rights, therefore, cannot be manipulated by ideological and pressure groups.

On April 20, the last day of his visit, Benedict visited Ground Zero, the memorial site of the World Trade Center towers. Sixteen family members, four first responders, and four survivors were present — and later met with the pope — as the Holy Father descended the ramp down into the pit where the Twin Towers once stood, knelt, and silently prayed.

After lighting a candle, the Holy Father offered a prayer for the victims, their families, and those who survived all three attacks on 9/11. He then blessed Ground Zero and the people present with holy water.

(Story continues below)

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Later that day, some 60,000 people attended Mass with the pope at Yankee Stadium in New York. The pope said in his homily that true freedom is found in self-surrender and turning away from sin. The Mass also served to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the creation of the Dioceses of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Louisville from the mother Diocese of Baltimore, which itself was elevated to an archdiocese in 1808.

The pope then departed the United States, again from Kennedy International Airport. It remains his only visit to the United States; the next pope to visit the U.S. would be Pope Francis in 2015.

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‘Inside the Vatican’ live from Pope Francis’ homeland

“A negotiated peace is better than a war without end,” said Pope Francis in an exclusive interview with CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell, marking the first such interview for network television in the U.S. Amid conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, the pope advocated for global peace. The full interview airs on CBS 60 Minutes this Sunday, covering topics such as child welfare, women’s roles, L.G.B.T.Q. ministry and speculation on the pope’s resignation.

Recording “Inside the Vatican” live from Buenos Aires, host Colleen Dulle reflects on her visit to the pope’s homeland, which has given her a deeper understanding of his emphasis on “being amongst the people,” she says, and his belief that “you can’t do theology behind a desk.” She highlights the vibrant lay ministry in Argentina and the impact of the newly instituted ministry of catechist, which she’s now seen in action firsthand.

Later, Gerry shares insights from his interview with Mark Lewis, S.J., who will lead the newly merged Gregorian University. The integration of the Biblical and Oriental Institutes with the Gregorian under Father Lewis’ leadership marks a historic first step by the Jesuits in the effort for greater synergy and collaboration among the pontifical institutions in Rome.

Links from the show  

• Interview: Big changes are coming for the Gregorian—Rome’s oldest and largest pontifical university
• How the pontifical university founded by St. Ignatius is changing to meet the needs of modern students
• Pope Francis’ exclusive interview with CBS Evening News’ Norah O’Donell

Inside the Vatican is a podcast that goes behind the headlines of the biggest Vatican news stories with hosts Colleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell.

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