--- description: Pope Francis offered his first review of the U.S. at 39,000 feet late Sunday night title: What Pope Francis Thought of the United States image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt12f3a39cc2a6297c/698865bda988cae66a6b4909/pope7.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [U.S.](/section/us/) ## U.S. Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [faith](/tag/faith/) ## faith Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # What Pope Francis Thought of the United States by [Elizabeth Dias / Papal Plane](/author/elizabeth-dias/) ## Elizabeth Dias / Papal Plane Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Sep 28, 2015 10:01 AM CUT  Pope Francis talks aboard the papal plane while en route to Italy Sept. 28, 2015. Pope Francis talks aboard the papal plane while en route to Italy Sept. 28, 2015.Tony Gentile—Reuters by [Elizabeth Dias / Papal Plane](/author/elizabeth-dias/) ## Elizabeth Dias / Papal Plane Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Sep 28, 2015 10:01 AM CUT Pope Francis offered his first review of the U.S. at 39,000 feet late Sunday night. Less than an hour after departing Philadelphia, he concluded his nine-day trip to Cuba and the U.S. with a wide-ranging, in-flight press conference that touched on everything from religious liberty debates in the U.S. to the popularity of the American nuns to his own increasing stardom. He addressed journalists for nearly 60 minutes in Italian and Spanish. Each U.S. city was different, the pontiff said, but the warmth of the country made an impression during his first-ever visit. Washington was very welcoming, but “more formal.” New York, was “_stralimitate_,” an Italian-Spanish mash-up that evokes overwhelming, exuberant, beyond the limits. Philadelphia was “very demonstrative.” Overall, Pope Francis said he was struck by the piety of the American people. “The church’s challenge is staying close to the people … not being a detached church,” he said. “This is something that the church in America has understood and understood well.” ### Selfies of People Celebrating Pope Francis's Journey Across the U.S.  Enija Davidonyte posted this Pontiff snapshot on Facebook. Enija Davidonyte  Arturas Vorobjovas posted from Washington, D.C. saying "He will never forget this moment." dzipasdc (@dzipasdc) via Instagram  Marian Burrows shared this from Washington, D.C., snap, with a playful caption: "Photobomb by The Holy Father, Pope Francis." marbfit\_4 (@marbfit\_4 ) via Instagram  Phillip G. Joseph posted from Washington, D.C., saying "#Blessed" philipgjoseph (@philipgjoseph ) via Instagram  Cathy McMorris posted from Washington, D.C. saying "It was great to see the #PopeinDC this morning!" cathymcmorris(@cathymcmorris) via Instagram  James Akers Jr. posted from Washington, D.C.: "Technically a #popeselfie" jamesakersjr (@jamesakersjr) via Instagram  Erica Lynn P. posted from Washington, D.C., saying "I took a selfie with Papa Francesco. What did you do today?" jamesakersjr (@jamesakersjr) via Instagram  Connor Schumacher posted from Washington, D.C., saying "His Holiness Pope Francis." cschumacher15 (@cschumacher15) via Instagram Pope Francis also underscored that conscientious objection is a human right. He was asked if he supported individuals — including government officials — who say they cannot in good conscience abide by some laws or discharge their duties, for example when issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples. “I can’t have in mind all cases that can exist about conscience objection but yes, I can say \[that\] conscientious objection is a right that is a part of every human right,” he said. “If a person does not allow others to be a conscientious objector, he denies a right. … Conscientious objection must enter into every judicial structure … Otherwise we would end up in a situation where we select what is a right, saying ‘this right that has merit, this one does not.’” One of the most poignant moments came when Pope Francis spoke about a mother who cannot forgive her daughter’s sexual abuser. The Lord still welcomes her, Francis said, even if she cannot forgive. “I understand that woman,” he said. “And God who is even better than me understands her. And I’m sure that that woman has been received by God. … I don’t judge someone who can’t forgive.” He also directly acknowledged that the ugliness of the priestly cover-up of sexual abuse, in addition to the ugliness of the abuse itself. “Those who covered this up are guilty. Even some bishops who covered this up,” he said. “It is a terrible thing.” The popularity of American nuns also made an impression on him. An important person within the U.S. government, Francis said, said that his or her education was owed “above all” to the sisters. Women priests were still not a possibility, Francis reiterated, but not because women don’t have the capacity. “The people of the United States love the sisters,” Francis said, smiling. “I don’t know how much they may love the priests, but they love the sisters, they love them so much. They are great women.” Hinting at the agenda for the upcoming October Synod of the Bishops on the family, Pope Francis emphasized that churches need to better prepare couples for marriage. To become a priest, he said, the required preparation is eight years. Marriage is for life, but by comparison there is not enough preparation. He responded to criticism of his recent streamlining of the annulment process, and said that it closed the door to divorce. Marriage is indissoluble, he said, and the church will not revoke that doctrine. (All the allowable reasons for an annulment are available on the internet, he joked.) On foreign policy, Pope Francis again expressed the Vatican’s commitment to a peace deal in Colombia. He declined to comment on the recent French bombing of Syrian bases belonging to the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS). He touched on the migrant crisis in Europe — “the greatest refugee crisis since the last World War” — and again urged dialogue as the way to achieve a solution. Africa, he added, has been an “exploited continent” — first for slaves, then for resources, and now wars have economic interests behind them. He also reiterated his desire to visit China. To be friends with a country like China, he said, would be “joy” and a chance to do good. “I hope there is a possibility to have good relations,” he said. “China is a great nation which brings a great culture to the world.” Asked about his stardom in the U.S., Pope Francis demurred. The Pope must be the servant of the servants of God, he said, quoting a traditional papal title. And, in a very personal moment, Pope Francis gave a window into his own reflection upon leaving the country. “This is a bit a personal but I have to be sincere,” he shared. “When the plane leaves after a visit, I see the faces of so many people. I get the urge to pray for them and say to the Lord, ‘I came here to do something, to do good, perhaps I have done wrong, forgive me but protect all those people who saw me, who thought of what I said, who heard me, even those who have criticized me, all of them.’ That is what I feel.” ### 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—Reuters  A 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—Reuters  A man holds a child as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015. Matt Slocum—AP  Pope Francis conducts the final mass of his U.S. visit in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015. Mark Makela—Reuters  People without tickets watch on video screens as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015. Jonathan Ernst—Reuters  Pope 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—AP  Crowds wait to go through security checkpoint before entering the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the Papal Mass on Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia. Michael Perez—AP  A 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—AP  Pope Francis waves to the crowd during a parade in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015. Matt Rourke—AP  Pope Francis takes the stage during the Festival of Families in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015. Matt Slocum—AP  People 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—AP  The wind lifts Pope Francis' mantle as he delivers his speech in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015. Tony Gentile—AP  Pope Francis is greeted by seminarians as he arrives at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, on Sept. 26, 2015, in Wynnewood, Pa. Mel Evans—AP  Nuns wait for Pope Francis' arrival at the Festival of Families rally along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015. Carlos Barria—Reuters  Pope 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/AP  Pope Francis reads his homily while celebrating high Mass at Madison Square Garden, on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City. Julie Jacobson—AP  A 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—AP  Thousands of people watch Pope Francis ride in the popemobile through Central Park on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City. Justin Sullivan—Getty Images  Pope 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—AP  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 City, on Sept. 25, 2015. Brendan McDermid—Reuters  Pope 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—AP  Pope 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—AP  Pope 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 Images  People 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/Reuters  A 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 Times  Pope 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 Images  Pope Francis waves to supporters as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, on Sept. 24, 2015. Craig Ruttle—AFP/Getty Images  Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the Speakers Balcony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015. Doug Mills—Getty Images  Pope 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, 2015 Michael Reynolds—Getty Images  Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015. Evan Vucci—AP  Pope Francis listens to applause before addressing a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015, Alessandra Tarantino—AP  Pope 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—EPA  Pope Francis performs Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty Images  Pope 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—Reuters  Pope 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 Images  St. 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—AP  Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile during a parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Alex Brandon—AP  Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile during a parade in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Alex Brandon—AP  President Barack Obama talks with Pope Francis in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Tony Gentile—AP  President 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—AP  First 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 Images  Guests 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 Images  Pope 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 Images  President Barack Obama welcomes Pope Francis during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Win McNamee—Getty Images  President 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—AP  People wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty Images  Pope Francis takereceives a kiss, outside the Apostolic Nunciature to the United States in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015 . Molly Riley—AFP/Getty Images  A 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—AP  Pope Francis waves from a Fiat 500 as his motorcade departs from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015. Andrew Harnik—AP  A crowd of supporters cheer as they attend the arrival of Pope Francis at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, on Sept. 22, 2015. Kevin Lamarque—Reuters  Pope 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—EPA  President 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—Reuters  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. Andrew Harnik—AP  Pope Francis steps off his plane at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., on Sept. 22, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images  Pope Francis arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., on Sept. 22, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images  Clergy 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—AP  US 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 Images  Pope Francis arrives to the United States from Cuba at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015. 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