Pope Francis greeted a huge crowd gathered in front of the U.S. Capitol after his speech to a Joint Session of Congress Thursday, asking for their prayers and concluding, "Thank you very much and God bless America."
The Pope is making his first-ever trip to the United States and was greeted with a loud ovation as he walked onto the balcony. His much-anticipated visit, which will next feature stops in New York City and Philadelphia, has been greeted with large enthusiasm among Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
"I'm so grateful for your presence here," he said in Spanish. "The most important ones here, children. I will ask God to bless them. Father of all, bless these. Bless each of them. Bless the families. Bless them all. And I ask you all, please, to pray for me. And if there are among you any who do not believe or cannot pray, I ask you, please, to send good wishes my way.
"Thank you very much, and God bless America," he said in English.