Pope Francis' plane known as "Shepherd One" just landed at Joint Base Andrews on Tuesday. This marks the start of his historic six-day, three-city visit that will cover the political, diplomatic and spiritual aspects of the country. To show the importance on the Pope's first visit to the country, President Barack Obama and the first family took the first turn to greet Pope Francis.
According to E! News, the first thing the Pope did was to meet President and the first family. Obama, alongside the first lady Michelle Obama and their two daughters, Malia and Sasha, offered the leader of the Catholic Church a warm greeting on his first visit to the US.
The Vice President Joe Biden, together with his family, also welcomed His Holiness at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, D.C. The Pope's supporters also gathered around and chanted, "Ho Ho, Hey Hey, Welcome to the U.S.A.," as he stepped out of his plane.
Obama will reportedly host the Jesuit Pope at the White House on Wednesday. The Pope will make two speeches during his visit. The first is his dialogue on the US Congress on Thursday and another one on the United Nations on Friday.
In a report by ABC News, on his way to the United States, Pope Francis told reporters that he would not touch the issue about Washington's embargo on Havana in his speech. But the Pope stood by his thought of opposing the embargo. "The Holy See is against this embargo, but it is against all embargos," he stated.
The Argentine-born leader set his foot in Cuba before heading to the US. His mission in visiting the country is to push for a continued resolution between the Communist land and its powerful neighbor, as mentioned in the Dailymail UK.
His Holiness also aided the broker about the landmark diplomatic deal between America and Cuba in December last year. His decision to go to the world's most powerful and richest nation is a symbol that he beseeches the Church to embrace outsider countries.
Rome's Bureau Chief for Catholic News Service Cindy Wooden was with the Pope in the Washington trip. He told her about his time in Cuba, refuting beliefs that he is a "liberal" or "Leftie". The Pope stated, "I have never said anything more than what is in church social teaching."
Meanwhile, the historic six-day visit to the US will include visits to New York and Philadelphia. In his ambitious schedule, His Holiness is set to lead a religious mass at the Ground Zero, the site of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The "People's Pope" will also have a meal together with the homeless community in Washington.
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