Warm welcome as Pope visits White House
US President Barack Obama and Pope Francis during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, September 23, 2015. An inspiration to many of America’s 70 million Catholics, Francis is also a potential political ally for Mr Obama, sharing many of his progressive goals. PHOTO | AFP
What you need to know:
- An inspiration to many of America’s 70 million Catholics, Francis is also a potential political ally for Mr Obama, sharing many of his progressive goals.
- Both men called for action on climate change and hailed the rapprochement between the United States and Cuba — causes dear to the White House but opposed by US conservatives.
WASHINGTON
US President Barack Obama welcomed Pope Francis to the White House Wednesday— the first black US president hailing the first pontiff from the Americas as a unique moral authority.
The South Lawn of the White House echoed to the strains of the Pontifical Anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner and a thundering 21-gun salute, as Washingtonians thronged the streets for the historic visit.
An inspiration to many of America’s 70 million Catholics, Francis is also a potential political ally for Mr Obama, sharing many of his progressive goals.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Both men called for action on climate change and hailed the rapprochement between the United States and Cuba — causes dear to the White House but opposed by US conservatives.
“I believe the excitement around your visit must be attributed not only to your role as pope, but to your unique qualities as a person,” Mr Obama told his guest.
“In your humility, your embrace of simplicity, the gentleness of your words and the generosity of your spirit, we see a living example of Jesus’ teachings, a leader whose moral authority comes not just through words but through deeds.”
Speaking in fluent but accented English, the 78-year-old Argentine pontiff returned the warm blessings of his host.
“I am deeply grateful for your welcome in the name of all Americans,” he said, to applause.
“As the son of an immigrant family, I am happy to be a guest in this country, which was largely built by such families.”
DE FACTO APPEAL
In a nod to Washington’s bitter debate about immigration reform, Francis said he would address Congress “to offer words of encouragement to those called to guide the nation’s political future in fidelity to its founding principles.”
Many US conservatives call into question the very existence of man-made climate change, but Francis and Obama made a de facto joint appeal for action on the issue.
“Holy Father, you remind us that we have a sacred obligation to protect our planet, God’s magnificent gift to us,” Obama said.
“Accepting the urgency, it seems clear to me also that climate change is a problem which can no longer be left to a future generation,” Francis said.
