HOW POPE FRANCES ARRIVES TO A CHEERING, ROARING NEW YORK CITY FOLLOWING HIS ADDRESS TO CONGRESS
NEW YORK (AP) -- Pope Francis plunged into the melting pot of New York after reminding the country of its immigrant origins in the first papal speech before Congress on Thursday. Over an intense 40 hours that started with an evening prayer service at St. Patrick's Cathedral, he will address world leaders at the United Nations, participate in an interfaith service at the Sept. 11 memorial museum at ground zero and celebrate Mass at Madison Square Garden.
Read more special coverage on the pope's visit:Will Pope Francis take the US to task during his visit?
The pope, who's making his first trip to the United States, also planned to visit a school on Friday and take a processional drive through Central Park.
The popular pontiff received a raucous welcome on his first visit to New York. Thousands of people lined the streets leading to St. Patrick's to greet him, cheering, waving flags and adoringly chanting his name as he gestured toward them from his popemobile. On the steps of the recently spruced up cathedral, dignitaries including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer welcomed him.
In Washington earlier Thursday, the pope had waded into bitter disputes while speaking to Congress, entreating the nation to share its immense wealth with those less fortunate. He urged Congress and the nation to abolish the death penalty, fight global warming and embrace immigrants. Lawmakers gave rousing ovations to the leader of the world's Catholics despite obvious disagreements over some of his pleas.
I pray that Pope Francis is strengthened by prayers and well wishes everywhere he goes, in the Name of Jesus, AMEN!!!!