President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama greet Pope Francis upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Andrew Harnik—AP
Washington will open its arms to His Holiness Pope Francis on Tuesday when the Catholic leader’s historic multi-city tour of the U.S. begins.
Over the past five decades, the U.S. has welcomed three Popes to its shores and during each visit, the Holy Father has spread messages of peace and love to the gathered masses in cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago and Washington. Pope Francis’ visit will be no different and it’s being met with the typical fanfare of a Holy visit.
He will participate in a welcome ceremony at the White House on Wednesday that’s expected to draw 15,000 people, before parading around The Ellipse, the park on the south side of the White House, and parts of the National Mall.
At least 30,000 will attend his mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast Washington and on Thursday, he’ll address a joint session of Congress—a Congress that’s more Catholic than the U.S. population—before heading off to events and a mass in New York and the World Meeting of the Families in Philadelphia.
The Holy Father’s packed schedule offers him plenty of opportunities directly insert his views into the political fray of Washington, which lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are both reveling and bracing for. In interviews with the Wall Street Journal, most lawmakers are reluctant to outright criticize the Pope, though there are clear issues the majority Republican Congress does not agree with him on, and even fewer have expressed any interest in not attending his address.
See Photos of Pope Francis’ Historic Visit to U.S.
Pope Francis sits on board his Rome-bound plane after his visit to the U.S. in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015.Charles Mostoller—ReutersA man looks at a television screen showing Pope Francis as he celebrates the Festival of Families Sunday mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Carlos Barria—ReutersA man holds a child as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Matt Slocum—APPope Francis conducts the final mass of his U.S. visit in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015.Mark Makela—ReutersPeople without tickets watch on video screens as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Jonathan Ernst—ReutersPope Francis waves to the crowd from the pope mobile during a parade along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway before Mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Michael Perez—APCrowds wait to go through security checkpoint before entering the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the Papal Mass on Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia.Michael Perez—APA family from Trenton, N.J., originally from Ecuador, walk over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge ahead of a Sunday Mass to be delivered by Pope Francis in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015.Julio Cortez—APPope Francis waves to the crowd during a parade in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Matt Rourke—APPope Francis takes the stage during the Festival of Families in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Matt Slocum—APPeople pray and watch as Pope Francis celebrates mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015. James Robinson—APThe wind lifts Pope Francis' mantle as he delivers his speech in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Tony Gentile—APPope Francis is greeted by seminarians as he arrives at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, on Sept. 26, 2015, in Wynnewood, Pa.Mel Evans—APNuns wait for Pope Francis' arrival at the Festival of Families rally along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Carlos Barria—ReutersPope Francis kisses and blesses Michael Keating, 10, of Elverson, Pa after arriving in Philadelphia and exiting his car when he saw the boy, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, at Philadelphia International Airport.Joseph Gidjunis—World Meeting of Families/APPope Francis reads his homily while celebrating high Mass at Madison Square Garden, on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City.Julie Jacobson—APA crucifix hangs above member of the clergy who watch as Pope Francis, not shown, celebrates Mass at Madison Square Garden, on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City.Michael Appleton—APThousands of people watch Pope Francis ride in the popemobile through Central Park on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City.Justin Sullivan—Getty ImagesPope Francis arrives in his car for a visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School in the Harlem neighborhood of New York, on Sept. 25, 2015.Eric Thayer—APSecurity personnel watch from the back of a vehicle as Pope Francis tours Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem in New York City, on Sept. 25, 2015. Brendan McDermid—ReutersPope Francis and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, left, pray at the South Pool of the 9/11 Memorial in downtown Manhattan, on Sept. 25, 2015. John Minchillo—APPope Francis is seen on a video monitor as he signs the United Nations guest book before addressing the General Assembly at United Nations headquarters in New York City, on Sept. 25, 2015.Mary Altaffer—APPope Francis makes his way down 5th Avenue in New York City to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on Sept. 24, 2015.Damon Winter—AFP/Getty ImagesPeople in the crowds outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral take pictures in New York City, on Sept. 24, 2015.Damon Winter—The New York Times/ReutersA New York City police officer searches nuns outside St. Patrick's Cathedral prior to the arrival of Pope Francis in New York, on Sept. 24, 2015.Damon Winter—AP/The New York TimesPope Francis reaches out to 5th grader Omodele Ojo of East New York, Brooklyn as he is greeted as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sept. 24, 2015, in New York.Craig Ruttle—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis waves to supporters as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, on Sept. 24, 2015.Craig Ruttle—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis waves to the crowd from the Speakers Balcony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015.Doug Mills—Getty ImagesPope Francis pauses in front of a sculpture of Spanish-born Junipero Serra, the Franciscan Friar known for starting missions in California, in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015Michael Reynolds—Getty ImagesPope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015.Evan Vucci—APPope Francis listens to applause before addressing a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015, Alessandra Tarantino—APPope Francis and Speaker of the House John Boehner speak in the US Capitol building as the Pope arrives to deliver his speech to a joint meeting of Congress in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015. Bill Clark—EPAPope Francis performs Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis greets and blesses seminarians, novices, religious guests inside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Jim Bourg—ReutersPope Francis arrives for the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Rob Carr—Getty ImagesSt. Mathews Cathedral is reflected in a nearby building as onlookers wait for Pope Francis to arrive for midday prayer service at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Jose Luis Magana—APPope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile during a parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Alex Brandon—APPope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile during a parade in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Alex Brandon—APPresident Barack Obama talks with Pope Francis in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Tony Gentile—APPresident Barack Obama and Pope Francis walk down the Colonnade before meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Andrew Harnik—APFirst Lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, and Pope Francis wave during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty ImagesGuests watch as President Barack Obama greets Pope Francis during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis speaks alongside President Barack Obama during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty ImagesPresident Barack Obama welcomes Pope Francis during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Win McNamee—Getty ImagesPresident Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama accompany Pope Francis to the stage during a state arrival ceremony, on Sept. 23, 2015, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Andrew Harnik—APPeople wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis takereceives a kiss, outside the Apostolic Nunciature to the United States in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015 .Molly Riley—AFP/Getty ImagesA man holds up a Papal flag as he waits for Pope Francis departure from the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican's diplomatic mission in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Cliff Owen—APPope Francis waves from a Fiat 500 as his motorcade departs from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Andrew Harnik—APA crowd of supporters cheer as they attend the arrival of Pope Francis at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, on Sept. 22, 2015.Kevin Lamarque—ReutersPope Francis is greeted by President Barack Obama, the First Family and children after arriving at Joint Base Andrews, Md, on Sept. 22, 2015. Michael Reynolds—EPAPresident Barack Obama welcomes Pope Francis to the United States as the Pontiff greets dignitaries upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, on Sept. 22, 2015.Kevin Larmarque—ReutersPresident Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and others, greet Pope Francis upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015. Andrew Harnik—APPope Francis steps off his plane at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty ImagesClergy brace for the wind as they stand along the red carpet on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015, as the plane carrying Pope Francis arrives.Andrew Harnik—APUS Air Force honor guard unroll the red carpet before Pope Francis arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Md, on Sept. 22, 2015.Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis arrives to the United States from Cuba at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images
“We have more requests for this appearance than anything anybody can ever recall around here,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said recently.
While the Pope is sure to speak on issues to address the issues he’s most passionate about ranging from climate change to poverty, the diplomatic and foreign policy emphasis of the visit is clear. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, accompanied Pope Francis, as is normal for Papal trips. But in a rarer move, Francis also brought his foreign minister, Archbishop Peter Gallagher. While Obama and Francis meet privately in the Oval Office, Parolin and Gallagher will meet with Secretary of State John Kerry in the Cabinet room.
“I have to believe that Cardinal Parolin will want to talk about the revival of peace efforts in the Middle East, the situation in Syria, maybe Ukraine will come up,” says U.S. ambassador to the Holy See Kenneth Hackett, who will be in Washington for the visit. “With Cardinal Parolin and Secretary Kerry it is more geo-political than big, giant ideas like, persecution of Christians or migration in the world or poverty. It is generally more specific.”
Hackett adds that it is likely they will discuss Cuba, since the Pope has just visited the island. When Pope Francis landed in Havana, the pontiff said that the normalizing of relations between the U.S. and Cuba is “an event which fills us with hope.”
“It is a sign of the victory of the culture of encounter and dialogue, ‘the system of universal growth’ over ‘the forever-dead system of groups and dynasties,’” Francis said. “I urge political leaders to persevere on this path and to develop all its potentialities as a proof of the high service which they are called to carry out on behalf of the peace and well-being of their peoples, of all America, as an example of reconciliation for the entire world.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Washington visit overlaps with Pope Francis’. The men are not scheduled to meet, but diplomatic relations with China has been the Vatican’s long-held prize.
Some hope Pope Francis will call out the crisis facing Christians in Iraq, in his speech to Congress and/or at the United Nations the next day. “He said it quite clearly and rightly, it is a genocide, and if he would really stress on this point, which I think he will do, I think this will have an impact,” Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil says. “I am sure he is fully aware of the situation and he knows very well the hurt and the feeling of desperation that is there.”
Warda visited Washington last month to continue to push Congress and the State Department for decisive military action against ISIS, “to terminate this cancer and stop it,” but he says it must be combined with a recovery package. Iraq, he says, has long been a place where people of different faiths have lived together in peace—disputes happened in the past, but now killing has become more a way of life. “It is a broken trust, but that can be recovered,” he says.
