Pope Francis arrives in USA for historic visit

Pope Francis arrived yesterday Tuesday on the first visit of his life to the United States, bringing his “church of the poor” to the world’s wealthiest superpower and a country polarized over issues closest to his heart: immigration, social injustice and economic inequality.

According a rare honor to the pontiff, President Barack Obama and his wife and daughters welcomed Francis on the red-carpeted tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, just outside the nation’s capital, after the pope’s chartered plane touched down from Cuba. Presidents usually make important visitors come to them at the White House.

Emerging from the plane to boisterous cheers from a crowd of hundreds, the smiling 78-year-old pontiff removed his skullcap in the windy weather and made his way down the steps in his white robes.

He was met by a military honor guard, schoolchildren, politicians, and Roman Catholic clergymen in black robes and brightly colored sashes of scarlet and purple. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife were among those who welcomed him.

From there, the pope rode in a small charcoal-gray Fiat as part of a motorcade bound for the Vatican diplomatic mission in Washington, where Francis will stay while in the capital.

During his six-day, three-city visit to the U.S., the pope will meet with the president, address Congress, speak at the United Nations in New York and take part in a Vatican-sponsored conference on the family in Philadelphia.

The Argentine known as the “slum pope” for ministering to the downtrodden in his native Buenos Aires is expected to urge America to take better care of the environment and the poor and return to its founding ideals of religious liberty and open arms toward immigrants.

During the flight, Francis defended himself against conservative criticism of his economic views. He told reporters on the plane that some explanations of his writings may have given the impression he is “a little bit more left-leaning.”

But he said such explanations are wrong: “I am certain that I have never said anything beyond what is in the social doctrine of the church.” Joking about whether he is truly Catholic, he added, “If I have to recite the Creed, I’m ready.”

He is the fourth pope ever to visit the United States.

yahoo.com