In his first address on US soil, Pope Francis accepted the welcome of President Barack Obama and charted a bold course for the remaining days of his visit.
President and First Lady Obama welcomed Pope Francis during a ceremony on the south lawn of the White House that opened with great fanfare, featuring both the pontifical and the US anthems, a fife and drum parade, and a performance by a DC-based Gospel choir.
After President Obama?s words of welcome, which highlighted religious liberty and global warming issues, Pope Francis took to the podium, adorned with the presidential seal, and spoke his first words of this trip in English.
Within moments, it was clear: The pope?s summer of language learning had paid off in dividends. He spoke clearly in a language not his own, identifying himself as the son of an immigrant family and the leader of a religious community committed to building a society of tolerance and inclusion.
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