Pope Francis wrapped up an event-packed visit to Washington, D.C. on Thursday (September 24). The pontiff blessed children as he left the Apostolic Nunciature, boarded his Fiat and made his way to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland -- to carry on his journey to New York, and later Philadelphia.

 

Earlier in the day, Francis delivered a speech to a U.S. Congress led by Republicans who have opposed Obama on issues of importance to the pontiff including climate change and immigration.

 

In the historic speech, he urged Congress to reject a "mindset of hostility" on immigration and to recognize people who wish to move to the United States as people who are trying to improve their lives and those of their families.

 

The pope met privately with Obama at the White House on Wednesday (September 23), where he called the Democratic president's efforts against air pollution "encouraging" and said climate change is a problem the world can no longer leave to future generations to address.

 

He will attend evening prayer services at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City later Thursday evening.  — Reuters