President Obama welcomed Pope Francis to the United States with a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House featuring 15,000 guests.
Here’s what the president said, according to prepared remarks released by the White House.
Good morning! What a beautiful day the Lord has made! Holy Father, on behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House. Our backyard is not typically this crowded – but the size and spirit of today’s gathering is just a small reflection of the deep devotion of some 70 million American Catholics…and the way your message of love and hope has inspired so many people, across our nation and around the world. On behalf of the American people, it is my great honor and privilege to welcome you to the United States of America.
Today, we mark many firsts. Your Holiness, you have been celebrated as the first Pope from the Americas. This is your first visit to the United States. And you are also the first pontiff to share an Encyclical through a Twitter account.
Holy Father, your visit not only allows me, in some small way, to reciprocate the extraordinary hospitality you extended to me at the Vatican last year. It also reveals how much all Americans, from every background and of every faith, value the role that the Catholic Church plays in strengthening America. From my time working in impoverished neighborhoods with the Catholic Church in Chicago, to my travels as President, I’ve seen firsthand how, every day, Catholic communities, priests, nuns, and laity feed the hungry, heal the sick, shelter the homeless, educate our children, and fortify the faith that sustains so many.
What is true in America is true around the world. From the busy streets of Buenos Aires to remote villages in Kenya, Catholic organizations serve the poor, minister to prisoners, build schools and homes, and operate orphanages and hospitals. And just as the Church has stood with those struggling to break the chains of poverty, it has given voice and hope to those seeking to break the chains of violence and oppression.
And yet, 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. 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 also through deeds.
You call on all of us, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, to put the “least of these” at the center of our concern. You remind us that in the eyes of God our measure as individuals, and as societies, is not determined by wealth or power or station or celebrity, but by how well we hew to Scripture’s call to lift up the poor and the marginalized, to stand up for justice and against inequality, and to ensure that every human being is able to live in dignity – because we are all made in the image of God.
You remind us that “the Lord’s most powerful message” is mercy. That means welcoming the stranger with empathy and a truly open heart – from the refugee who flees war torn lands, to the immigrant who leaves home in search of a better life. It means showing compassion and love for the marginalized and the outcast, those who have suffered, and those who seek redemption.
You remind us of the costs of war, particularly on the powerless and defenseless, and urge us toward the imperative of peace. Holy Father, we are grateful for your invaluable support of our new beginning with the Cuban people, which holds out the promise of better relations between our countries, greater cooperation across our hemisphere, and a better life for the Cuban people. We thank you for your passionate voice against the deadly conflicts that ravage the lives of so many men, women, and children; and your call for nations to resist the sirens of war and resolve disputes through diplomacy.
You remind us that people are only truly free when they can practice their faith freely. Here in the United States, we cherish religious liberty. Yet around the world at this very moment, children of God, including Christians, are targeted and even killed because of their faith. Believers are prevented from gathering at their places of worship. The faithful are imprisoned. Churches are destroyed. So we stand with you in defense of religious freedom and interfaith dialogue, knowing that people everywhere must be able to live out their faith free from fear and intimidation.
And, Holy Father, you remind us that we have a sacred obligation to protect our planet – God’s magnificent gift to us. We support your call to all world leaders to support the communities most vulnerable to a changing climate and to come together to preserve our precious world for future generations.
Your Holiness, in your words and deeds, you set a profound moral example. And in these gentle but firm reminders of our obligations to God and to one another, you are shaking us out of complacency. All of us may, at times, experience discomfort when we contemplate the distance between how we lead our daily lives and what we know to be true and right. But I believe such discomfort is a blessing, for it points to something better. You shake our conscience from slumber; you call on us to rejoice in Good News, and give us confidence that we can come together, in humility and service, and pursue a world that is more loving, more just, and more free. Here at home and around the world, may our generation heed your call to “never remain on the sidelines of this march of living hope!”
For that great gift of hope, Holy Father, we thank you, and welcome you, with joy and gratitude, to the United States of America.
See Photos of Pope Francis’ Historic Visit to U.S.
![Pope Francis sits on board his plane bound for Rome after his six-day visit to the United States, in Philadelphia Pope Francis sits on board his plane bound for Rome after his six-day visit to the United States, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 27, 2015. REUTERS/Charles Mostoller TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-philadelphia-departure-001.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![A man looks at a television screen showing Pope Francis taking a pause as he celebrates mass at the Festival of Families Sunday mass along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania A man looks at a television screen showing Pope Francis taking a pause as he celebrates mass at the Festival of Families Sunday mass along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-world-meeting-families-005.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![APTOPIX US Pope Francis A man holds a child as Pope Francis celebrates Mass, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-world-meeting-families-004.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis conducts a papal mass on the final day of events in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Pope Francis conducts a papal mass on the final day of events in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-world-meeting-families-001.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![People without tickets watch on video screens, miles away from the altar and the secured area surrounding it, as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia People without tickets watch on video screens, miles away from the altar and the secured area surrounding it, as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-world-meeting-families-002.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the pope mobile during a parade along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway before Mass on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia (AP Photo/Michael Perez)](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-world-meeting-families-003.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US Pope Francis US Pope Francis](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1b649089853a434e8a4ae4e58ed6cd33-0.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![APTOPIX US Pope Francis APTOPIX US Pope Francis](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/f9c90923e22b49a1adcb4054a3fbb275-0.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US Pope Francis US Pope Francis](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ap_403527265976.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US Pope Francis US Pope Francis](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis15.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Pope Francis](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis16.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Pope Francis](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis14.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Pope Francis](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/4e6f26b9a4304a53a0103547b9e401cd-0.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Nuns wait for Pope Francis' arrival at the Festival of Families rally along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Nuns wait for Pope Francis' arrival at the Festival of Families rally along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-09-26t190830z_877452787_gf1000022.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis, Michael Keating Pope Francis, Michael Keating](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis12.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![APTOPIX US Pope Francis APTOPIX US Pope Francis](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ap_200626170014.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![APTOPIX US Pope Francis APTOPIX US Pope Francis](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/855f574922ff40ddba9164406310e648-0.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Rides In Motorcade Through New York's Central Park Pope Francis Rides In Motorcade Through New York's Central Park](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis13.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![APTOPIX US Pope Francis APTOPIX US Pope Francis](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ap_147982031298.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Security personnel watch from the back of a vehicle as Pope Francis tours Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem in New York Pope Francis US Visit](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-new-york.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis, Timothy Dolan Pope Francis US Visit World Trade Center](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-world-trade-center.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![APTOPIX UN Pope Francis Pope Francis US Visit United Nations](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-united-nations-3.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/was8964604.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![People in the crowds outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral take pictures in New York People in the crowds outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral take pictures in New York](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-09-24t225341z_5990304_tb3eb9o1rl6.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Pope Francis](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/eab0f9f5176d40fa891554dc812b8192-0.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/was89645781.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/was8964765.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Addresses Joint Meeting Of U.S. Congress Pope Francis US Visit Congress](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-congress-8.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Visits St. Patrick's In Washington, D.C. Pope Francis US Visit Congress](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-congress-5.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Pope Francis US Visit Congress](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-congress-9.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Pope Francis US Visit Congress](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-congress-4.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis in Congress Pope Francis US Visit Congress](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-congress-2.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE Pope Francis US Visit mass Canonization](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-mass-canonization1.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis greets religious guests inside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washingto Pope Francis US Visit mass Canonization](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-mass-canonization-4.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Celebrates Mass Of Canonization For Junipero Serra Pope Francis US Visit mass Canonization](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-mass-canonization.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US Pope Francis Pope Francis US Visit National Mall](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-national-mall-2.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Pope Francis US Visit National Mall](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-national-mall-5.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Pope Francis US Visit National Mall](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-national-mall-6.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![APTOPIX US Obama Pope Francis Pope Francis US Visit White House](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-white-house-30.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Barack Obama, Pope Francis Pope Francis US Visit White House](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-white-house-25.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE Pope Francis US Visit White House](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-white-house-21.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE Pope Francis US Visit White House](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-white-house-211.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE Pope Francis US Visit White House](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-white-house-20.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Meets President Obama At The White House Pope Francis US Visit White House](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-white-house-26.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Pope Francis Pope Francis US Visit White House](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-white_house-31.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE Pope Francis US Visit White House](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-white-house-3.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![TOPSHOTS-US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE Pope Francis US Visit White House](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-white-house-14.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![APTOPIX US Obama Pope Francis Pope Francis US Visit White House](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-white-house-4.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Pope Francis US Visit](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-arrival-2.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![A crowd of supporters cheer as they attend the arrival of Pope Francis at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington Pope Francis US Visit](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-9.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis in Washington DC Pope Francis US Visit](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-10.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![U.S. President Obama welcomes Pope Francis to the United States as the Pontiff greets dignitaries upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington Pope Francis US Visit](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-7.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Pope Francis President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and others, greet Pope Francis upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-6.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-ARRIVAL Pope Francis US Visit](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-3.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-ARRIVAL Pope Francis US Visit](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-5.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Obama Pope Pope Francis US Visit](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-arrival.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-ARRIVAL Pope Francis US Visit](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-4.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Pope Francis Arrives From Cuba For Visit To D.C., New York, And Philadelphia Pope Francis US Visit](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/pope-francis-us-visit-2.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Breaking Down the 2024 Election Calendar
- How Nayib Bukele’s ‘Iron Fist’ Has Transformed El Salvador
- What if Ultra-Processed Foods Aren’t as Bad as You Think?
- How Ukraine Beat Russia in the Battle of the Black Sea
- Long COVID Looks Different in Kids
- How Project 2025 Would Jeopardize Americans’ Health
- What a $129 Frying Pan Says About America’s Eating Habits
- The 32 Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2024
Contact us at letters@time.com