Ho, ho – welcome to the USA
Pope Francis arrived in Washington yesterday to a joyous greeting from well-wishers as he began the historic visit that millions of Americans have been awaiting and for which three of the country’s great cities have been anxiously preparing.
The Pope’s white and green Alitalia jetliner touched down at 3.50pm on a flight from Cuba at the start of a spiritual and political journey that will take him to the centres of US government, power and history.
Beneath gray skies, the pope stepped off the aeroplane at 4.05pm at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County and was welcomed by President Barack Obama and a cheering crowd assembled on metal bleachers.
The Pope took off his white skullcap as he walked down the steps from the jet to the windy tarmac to greet first lady Michelle Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden, Jill Biden and Washington Archbishop Cardinal Donald Wuerl, among others.
The popular 78-year-old Argentina-born Pope, who has softened the church’s tone, focused on climate change and the poor, and seized a spot on the global stage, is making his first trip ever to the United States.
He plans to visit the White House, and address Congress and United Nations.
As he walked along an airport red carpet with his unusual gait, a group of Catholic clergy clad in black cassocks with crimson sashes were lined up, and the throng of mostly young people chanted, ‘‘Ho ho, hey hey, welcome to the USA!’’
The Pope is scheduled to visit the White House and Washington’s Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle. He will also greet tens of thousands of people during a popemobile parade around the Ellipse, south of the White House.
Large crowds from across the region are expected to gather early, and streets will be thronged and periodically cordoned off across the city as Francis crisscrosses the district in the next two days. He is scheduled to leave for New York tomorrow then travel to Philadelphia in a visit that will end on Sunday.
In an atmosphere that was part pep rally, part prayer group, the band played pop music tunes and members of the welcoming committee said Hail Marys as they waited for the Pope’s plane.
When Francis finished greeting the dignitaries, he approached four schoolchildren, who presented him with a bouquet of white flowers. He smiled, bent over and spoke with them.
The Pope left the base in a motorcade, riding in a small black Fiat, escorted by huge SUVs, and waving through the open window as he headed for the Vatican’s Apostolic Nunciature in Northwest Washington, where he is to stay.
Among those in the crowd at the base were Dorothy Newman, 74, and her longtime friend Betty Lee, who said she was ‘‘around the same age,’’ of St Joseph’s parish in Largo. The two seemed delighted as they left the ceremony. Newman said she had seen all three recent popes, but no one like Francis. ‘‘He’s just saying what the people want to hear and have wanted to hear for a long time.’’
The Pope was to celebrate a mass with 25,000 people to canonise Junipero Serra, an 18th century Franciscan priest who founded historic missions in California.
Francis will make the first address by a pope to a joint meeting of the US Congress, in the Capitol. Afterward, he is scheduled to appear on the balcony of the West Front of the Capitol.
The Pope has drawn attention with recent statements about the dangers of global warming. He softened the tone of the church on its opposition to homosexuality and recently moved to ease the granting of marriage annulments.
On the flight from Cuba, Francis seemed to reject characterisations of himself as aligned with any particular political movement.
‘‘I am certain I have never said anything more than what is in the social doctrine of the church,’’ he told reporters. ‘‘I follow the church, and in this, I do not think I am wrong.
‘‘Maybe I have given an impression of being a little bit to the left,’’ he said.
‘‘But if they want me to recite the Creed, I can!’’