The pontiff also warned against luxury and greed.
Antonia BlumbergPope Francis arrived in New York City Thursday night and headed directly to St. Patrick’s Cathedral to take part in evening prayers called vespers.
In his address to priests and members of Catholic parishes, the pontiff touched on the clergy sex abuse crisis, which has racked the Catholic church for decades.
“I know that, as a presbyterate in the midst of God’s people, you suffered greatly in the not distant past by having to bear the shame of some of your brothers who harmed and scandalized the church in the most vulnerable of her members,” Francis said. “I accompany you at this time of pain and difficulty, and I thank God for your faithful service to his people.”
The pontiff also offered Catholics a stern warning against luxury and greed, saying that danger comes “when we think that surrounding ourselves with worldly comforts will help us serve better.”
Doing so “alienates people who suffer material poverty and are forced to make greater sacrifices than ourselves,” Francis said. He acknowledged that “moments of leisure” are necessary, but said they should not interfere with the responsibility to serve others.
“Closeness to the poor, the refugee, the immigrant, the sick, the exploited, the elderly living alone, prisoners and all God’s other poor, will teach us a different way of resting, one which is more Christian and generous,” the pope said.
Francis encouraged those gathered to embrace a spirit of joy, practice gratitude and serve others with hard work and humility. He noted, in particular, the work of Catholic women whose “spirit of courage” places them on the front lines of the church’s mission to share the gospel.
In an unscripted moment, Pope Francis offered sympathies to Muslims on this holy day of Eid: “I am thinking of them, I’m close to them in the face of the tragedy that they suffered in Mecca.”
Thursday night’s vespers mark the fifth time a pope has visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which recently finished a three-year renovation. The first was Pope Paul VI in 1965, followed by Pope John Paul II in 1979 and 1995. Pope Benedict XVI visited the cathedral in 2008, and, like Francis, prayed for healing from the church’s sex abuse crisis during his address.
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 24: Spectators wait along Fifth Avenue ahead of the arrival of Pope Francis at St. ) -
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 24: Pope Francis waves to guests as he exits Saint Patrick’s Cathedral after leading evening Vespers on September 24, 2015 in New York City. -
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 24: Pope Francis addresses the congregation during evening Vespers at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on September 24, 2015 in New York City. -
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 24: Pope Francis prepares to lead evening Vespers at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on September 24, 2015 in New York City. -
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 24: Guests take photos of Pope Francis’ arrivval at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on September 24, 2015 in New York City. -
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 24: Crowds wait for Pope Francis to arrive on 5th Avenue on September 24, 2015 in New York City. -
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Pope Francis waves as he approaches St. Patrick’s Cathedral to lead evening prayers in New York on September 24, 2015. -
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Pope Francis boards a waiting helicopter after arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York. -
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 24: Pope Francis arrives by helicopter on September 24, 2015 in New York City.![]()
Pope Francis kisses Maria Teresa Heyer, a 1st grade student from the Brooklyn borough of New York, as the pope is greeted by Heyer and other students who gave him gifts as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York. -
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JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD – SEPTEMBER 24: Pope Francis departs from Washington, DC en route to New York City on September 24, 2015 in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. -
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JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD – SEPTEMBER 24: Pope Francis bids farewell to Secretary of State John Kerry as he departs from Washington, DC en route to New York City on September 24, 2015 in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. -
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JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD – SEPTEMBER 24: U.S. servicemembers prepare for the departure of Pope Francis from Washington, DC en route to New York City on September 24, 2015 in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. -
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 24: People take pictures in front of a road block on Fifth Avenue ahead of the arrival of Pope Francis at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on September 24, 2015 in New York City. Pope Francis will land at John F. Kennedy Airport after a two-day visit to Washington D.C. and will conduct a number of events while in New York including a motorcade through Central Park and Mass in Madison Square Garden. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Pope Francis, left, has a selfie taken with Michael Brown as he walks through the crowd during a visit to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington September 24, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Cartrice Haynesworth, center, has a selfie taken with Pope Francis, left, as he walks through the crowd during a visit to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington September 24, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Children wait for Pope Francis to arrive and bless a meal outside the Catholic Charities office September 24, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Michael White listens to hymns while waiting for Pope Francis to arrive and bless a meal outside the Catholic Charities office September 24, 2015 in Washington, DC![]()
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Pope Francis greets parishioners, immigrants and clients of Catholic Charities as he arrives at St. Patrick’s Church September 24, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Pope Francis greets people as he arrives to pray at St. Patrick’s Church on September 24, 2015 in Washington, DC. Pope Francis is on a five-day trip to the United States, which includes stops in Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia, after a three-day stay in Cuba. St. Patrick’s is the oldest Catholic parish in Washington. (Photo by Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images) -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Pope Francis (2-R) 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 on September 24, 2015 in Washington, DC. Pope Francis is on a five-day trip to the USA, which includes stops in Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia, after a three-day stay in Cuba. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on September 24, 2015 in Washington, DC. Pope Francis is the first pope to address a joint meeting of Congress and will finish his tour of Washington later today before traveling to New York City. -
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Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, making history as the first pontiff to do so. Listening behind the pope are Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio. -
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Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio listen as Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, making history as the first pontiff to do so. -
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WASHINGTON, USA – SEPTEMBER 24: His Holiness Pope Francis enters the House of Representatives chambers to address a joint session of the United States Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, USA on September 24, 2015. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on September 24, 2015 in Washington, DC. Pope Francis is the first pope to address a joint meeting of Congress and will finish his tour of Washington later today before traveling to New York City. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Pope Francis is greeted by members of Congress as he arrives to speak during a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on September 24, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) (R) speaks with Pope Francis (L) in the U.S. Capitol building before the Pontiff speaks to a joint meeting of Congress September 24, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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Pope Francis greets well-wishers the Apostolic Nunciature to the United States on September 24, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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People gather in front of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 24, 2015 before Pope Francis addresses a Joint Session of Congress on the third day of his six-day visit to the US. -
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Crowds wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the Capitol building. -
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Immigration reform activists hold a banner in front of the US Capitol in Washington, DC -
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Anderson Mayorga, 10, shows off his Pope Francis shirt in Washington DC. -
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People pray while Pope Francis celebrates a Canonization Mass for Rev. JunÃpero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. Pope Francis is in the United State for 6 days during his first trip as the leader of the Catholic Church. AFP PHOTO/BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) -
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Pope Francis celebrates a Canonization Mass for Rev. Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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Pope Francis delivers a homily during a Canonization Mass for Rev. Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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People sing while Pope Francis celebrates a Canonization Mass for Rev. Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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People listen during a Canonization Mass with Pope Francis for Rev. Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23: Pope Francis speaks to bishops during the midday prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew on September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23: Pope Francis attends the Midday Prayer Service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew on September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. The Pope began his first trip to the United States at the White House followed by a visit to St. Matthew’s Cathedral, and will then hold a Mass on the grounds of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) -
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Pope Francis arrives at a midday prayer with US bishops at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, DC, on September 23, 2015 on the second day of his six-day visit to the US.. AFP PHOTO/NICHOLAS KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images) -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23: Pope Francis stands at the altar of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel for a private prayer before participating in the Midday Prayer Service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew on September 23, 2015 in Washington DC. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23: Pope Francis arrives for the midday prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew on September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23: Pope Francis leans out and waves to the crowd as he rides in a popemobile along a parade route around the National Mall on September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23: 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.![]()
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23: (L-R) Pope Francis and U.S. President Barack Obama stands for the national anthem of the United States during the arrival ceremony at the White House on September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with Pope Francis (L) during the arrival ceremony at the White House on September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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US President Barack Obama talks with Pope Francis during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, September 23, 2015. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23: (L-R) Pope Francis and U.S. President Barack Obama talk in the Oval Office during the arrival ceremony at the White House on September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and first Lady Michelle Obama (L) wave from the balcony with Pope Francis (C) in an arrival ceremony at the White House on September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. -
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US President Barack Obama and Pope Francis walk down the West Wing Colonnade to a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, September 23, 2015.![]()
Pope Francis speaks during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, September 23, 2015. More than 15,000 people packed the South Lawn for a full ceremonial welcome on Pope Francis’ historic maiden visit to the United States. AFP PHOTO / JIM WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) -
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US Secretary of State (C) greets clergy as US Vice President Joe Biden (R) looks on before the arrival of Pope Francis at the White House on September 23, 2015 in Washington,DC. President Barack Obama will host Pope Francis at the White House for the first time Wednesday, warmly embracing the Catholic pontiff seen as both a moral authority and potent political ally. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images) -
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Children of parents who work at the Lithuanian Embassy take selfies with Pope Francis as he departs the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican’s diplomatic mission in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015. -
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A woman reacts as Pope Francis hugs her as he departs the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican’s diplomatic mission in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, en route to the White House where President Barack Obama will hot a state arrival ceremony. -
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Pope Francis greets well-wishers as he departs the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican’s diplomatic mission inWashington, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015. -
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Spectators hoping for a glimpse of Pope Francis crowd the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, before the official state arrival ceremony where President Barack Obama will welcome the pope. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) -
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Spectators hoping for a glimpse of Pope Francis waves Papal and U.S. Flags on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, before the official state arrival ceremony where President Barack Obama will welcome the pope. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) -
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A woman holds an image of the Virgin Mary as she and others gather on Pope Francis parade route along the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) -
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The Flag of Vatican City (Papal flag) is displayed next to the American flag on the side of the Old Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, the day Pope Francis arrives in the United States. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) -
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Workers prepare the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, the day before Pope Francis visits the White House.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) -
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JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD – SEPTEMBER 22: Pope Francis waves from the back of his Fiat after arriving from Cuba September 22, 2015 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Francis will be visiting Washington, New York City and Philadelphia during his first trip to the United States as pope. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) -
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JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD – SEPTEMBER 22: (AFP OUT) Pope Francis departs in a Fiat after arriving from Cuba to the United States September 22, 2015 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Francis will be visiting Washington, New York City and Philadelphia during his first trip to the United States as Pope. (Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images) -
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JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD – SEPTEMBER 22: Supporters cheer for Pope Francis after he arrived from Cuba September 22, 2015 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Francis will be visiting Washington, New York City and Philadelphia during his first trip to the United States as Pope. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) -
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JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD – SEPTEMBER 22: (EDITORS NOTE: Retransmission with alternate crop) Pope Francis (L) is escorted by U.S. President Barack Obama as he greets and other political and Catholic church leaders after arriving from Cuba September 22, 2015 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Francis will be visiting Washington, New York City and Philadelphia during his first trip to the United States as Pope. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) -
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Pope Francis greets children alongside US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, September 22, 2015, on the start of a 3-day trip to Washington. AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) -
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Pope Francis (L) walks alongside US President Barack Obama (C) and US First Lady Michelle Obama (R) upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, September 22, 2015, on the start of a 3-day trip to Washington. AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) -
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US President Barack Obama (L) greets Pope Francis (R) upon his arrival September 22, 2015 at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. AFP PHOTO/MANDEL NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) -
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US President Barack Obama welcomes Pope Francis upon his arrival on September 22, 2015 at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. AFP PHOTO/MANDEL NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) -
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JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD – SEPTEMBER 22: Pope Francis shakes hands with Vice President Joe Biden along with U.S. President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and other political and Catholic church leaders after arriving from Cuba September 22, 2015 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Francis will be visiting Washington, New York City and Philadelphia during his first trip to the United States as Pope. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) -
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JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD – SEPTEMBER 22: Pope Francis shakes hands with Vice President Joe Biden along with U.S. President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and other political and Catholic church leaders after arriving from Cuba September 22, 2015 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Francis will be visiting Washington, New York City and Philadelphia during his first trip to the United States as Pope. (Photo by ChipThe White House released a behind the scenes video on what it’s like to prepare for a papal visit.
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