04:40USA: Pope Francis and President Obama address White House crowd
Pope Francis was welcomed by President Obama and his family for a ceremony attended by 15,000 people at the White House, Wednesday, after arriving in Washington D.C for his first ever visit to the United States. President Obama welcomed the "first Pope from the Americas" and "the first pontiff to share an Encyclical through a Twitter account."
Speaking during the ceremony Obama thanked the pontiff for the "vaulable support" regarding US "new beginning with the Cuban people." The US president spoke on the necessity to be taken measures on the climate changes by saying that there is a "sacred obligation" to protect the planet.
From his side, Pope Francis called himself a "son of an immigrant family," describing his happiness to be "a guest in this country, which was largely built by such families." The Pontiff talked about climate change saying that "is a problem which can no longer be left to a future generation." Speaking on the restoration of the US Cuban relations, Pope Francis described them as "positive steps along the path of reconciliation, justice and freedom."
After the ceremony Pope Francis and President Obama headed to the Oval office.
The 78-year-old Roman Catholic leader will be in the US for a five-day tour, coinciding with a United Nations summit on Friday which he is set to address.
The Pope also plans to hold an open air Mass in Philadelphia, Saturday, which is expected to draw a million and a half worshippers.
04:40Pope Francis was welcomed by President Obama and his family for a ceremony attended by 15,000 people at the White House, Wednesday, after arriving in Washington D.C for his first ever visit to the United States. President Obama welcomed the "first Pope from the Americas" and "the first pontiff to share an Encyclical through a Twitter account."
Speaking during the ceremony Obama thanked the pontiff for the "vaulable support" regarding US "new beginning with the Cuban people." The US president spoke on the necessity to be taken measures on the climate changes by saying that there is a "sacred obligation" to protect the planet.
From his side, Pope Francis called himself a "son of an immigrant family," describing his happiness to be "a guest in this country, which was largely built by such families." The Pontiff talked about climate change saying that "is a problem which can no longer be left to a future generation." Speaking on the restoration of the US Cuban relations, Pope Francis described them as "positive steps along the path of reconciliation, justice and freedom."
After the ceremony Pope Francis and President Obama headed to the Oval office.
The 78-year-old Roman Catholic leader will be in the US for a five-day tour, coinciding with a United Nations summit on Friday which he is set to address.
The Pope also plans to hold an open air Mass in Philadelphia, Saturday, which is expected to draw a million and a half worshippers.