News by email Donate

Suggestions

pope-and-baby-main_article_image.jpg
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
World News

Pope's visit to United States "massively successful"

by Antony Bushfield

The Holy Father is now back in Rome after his tour of America which involved visits to Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia.

He ended his trip with the biggest event of the visit, a massive open air mass on Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

CJ Gunther/Pool Photo via AP
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia
Andrew Burton/Pool Photo via AP
Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile during a parade
AP Photo/Michael Perez
People gather on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

The road overflowed with the jubilant, who stood in line for hours and endured airport-style security checks to see history's first pope from the Americas celebrate an open-air mass in the birthplace of the United States.

Riding through the streets in his open-sided pope mobile, the pontiff waved to cheering, screaming, singing, flag-waving crowds and kissed babies as he made his way to the altar at the steps of the columned Philadelphia Museum of Art.

June Bounds, 56, of Rochester, New York, said: "It's very overwhelming. You feel like you're one body with everyone here, whether you're here, whether you're back home, whether you're anywhere in the world.

"He's (the Pope) brought so much joy and holy spirit into the United States. It doesn't matter if you're a Catholic; he's just trying to unite everybody for a better world."

David Maialetti/The Philadelphia Inquirer, Pool
Pope Francis greets inmates at Curran Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia

Organisers had predicted one million people would attend the mass. There was no immediate estimate of the crowd.

Earlier, Francis had a more solemn message for families scarred by the sins of the church itself.

The Pope met five victims of child sexual abuse and told them he was "deeply sorry" for the times they came forward to tell their stories and were not believed. He assured them that he believed them and that bishops who covered up for abusers would be made to answer for what they did.

"I pledge to you that we will follow the path of truth wherever it may lead," Francis said in Spanish. "Clergy and bishops will be held accountable when they abuse or fail to protect children."

Jim Bourg/Pool Photo via AP
Pope Francis kisses a baby in his pope mobile in Philadelphia
Bradley C Bower/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP
Pope Francis blesses Christopher Garcia and Angel Zavaleta after Mass

Francis' journey took him first to Cuba, then to Washington and New York. Along the way, he drew large and adoring crowds, met President Barack Obama, visited ground zero and a school in East Harlem, and addressed Congress and the United Nations, calling for urgent action on climate change and poverty.

He also pointed to a new direction of the US church, twice praising the service of America's nuns, who had been subject to a recently ended Vatican crackdown, and urging America's bishops to focus more on helping their flock through life's ups and downs rather than spending all their energy on culture wars.

Joshua Lott/Pool Photo
Pope Francis signs a guest book as United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon looks over his shoulder
AP Photo/Cliff Owen
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
President Barack Obama leans over to talk to Pope Francis during a state arrival ceremony
(AP Photo/Cliff Owen

Brenden Thompson from Catholic Voices, the group seen as the Church's mouthpiece in the UK told Premier's News Hour it had been "massively successful".

He said: "You can see the joy that has dissipated any criticism that there might have been before.

"He's been so well received and our correspondents have just said how much the American people have loved him.

"His message of hope and his message of love have touched everyone's hearts there."

He added that it had been a trip of contrasts: "One minute he could have a rockstar red carpet welcome to the White House and then be eating with the homeless.

"He could be addressing the leaders at the UN and then go to a school in East Harlem to meet with the children of immigrants.

"This is what the American people love about him."

Brenden Thompson speaking to Premier's Antony Bushfield:

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate