Pope Francis blesses a child handed to him during a parade on the streets around the Ellipse, south of the White House, September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC.Astrid Riecken—2015 Getty Images
In Washington, D.C., the arrival of a foreign leader is typically more the occasion for irritation, as a presidential motorcade or security detail ties up traffic. But the jaded residents of the nation’s capital could not contain their excitement over a visit by Pope Francis.
Onlookers filled the blocks and corners of downtown Washington, smartphones at the ready, hoping to catch a glimpse of the pontiff.
The sea of faces eager to wave at the Holy Father’s motorcade, snap a photo—or, if they’d be so lucky, receive a blessing—were as colorful and varied as the nation itself, but they shared a similar wish that the Pope leave behind a message of love and inclusion.
Along Constitution Avenue, the Pope greeted thousands who had lined up along his abbreviated parade route for hours to welcome him to the U.S. He even stopped to kiss a baby on the forehead, leading the crowd to erupt in cheers and praise.
Miguel Vera, 38, traveled to D.C. from North Carolina to greet the pope during his historic visit with his 3-year-old daughter, who slept on his shoulder as they stood along Constitution waiting for the Pope to pass by. Like many others in the crowd, Vera is a Catholic but his South American roots add to his connection with the Pope.
“He’s very charismatic and attached to the people,” said Vera, who’s originally from Peru.
James Servino, 30, lives in D.C. and works for the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, also stood along Constitution.
“The Pope brings such hope to our church and it’s an exciting time,” Servino said. “I’m most excited for the Pope to see the American Catholic Church and how alive and excited we are. Though there may be divisions and disagreements, on days like today we can come together and celebrate.”
Not all were lucky enough to make it through the security checkpoints in time to line up along the route. On 18th Street Northwest, a full block away from the papal motorcade, people snapped grainy pics through the towering gates erected by the city and cheered as the pope passed by.
Siying Li, 23, and Katie Gach, 28, friends and former classmates at Georgetown University, traveled to the National Mall to take in the sights and sounds of the days’ events. They peered through barricades along the mall in the direction of the Pope’s motorcade though their view was pretty obstructed.
“I love the energy surrounding the whole visit. I just wanted to see other peoples reaction to it,” said Gach. Though Gach is Protestant, she admires his effort to promote the teachings of Jesus rather than simply spread Catholicism.
“He understands that not everyone is going to follow the Catholic Church, but he’s open to sharing his message of love and compassion and caring for community to everyone,” Gach said.
As the Pope exited the White House complex to attend a meeting with U.S. Bishops at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, one could follow the motorcade simply by listening out for an eruption of cheers on any given street. Along the blocks peppered with both Washingtonians weaving in and out of office buildings and Pope fans waving flags and holding signs an array of Pope swag—from buttons to commemorative t-shirts to newspapers—was up for sale.
Among the buyers was Roberto de la Rocha, a Guatemalan immigrant who came to U.S. 10 years ago. As an immigrant, de la Rocha says he received a lot of help from Catholic charities as he got himself together. On Wednesday, he joined the crowd of onlookers as a legal resident eager to bring gear back to family members back home. De la Rocha clutched a blue bag full of t-shirts, flags, and stickers he’d bought from various street vendors to show his family in Guatemala, who is Catholic, what he did in America.
The excitement was palpable across the District. The sound of sirens in the distance was enough to lead gaggles of people on downtown streets to gaze upward, grab their phones and hope.
-with reporting by Tessa Berenson and Daniel White
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
