Pope Francis departed for Rome on Sunday after six days in the United States. The visit, which included stops in Washington, D.C., New York City and Philadelphia, marked the pontiff's first trip to the U.S.
In his farewell to Vice President Joe Biden, bishops and organizers of the World Meeting of Families, Francis said he left with "a heart full of gratitude and hope." Biden and others had gathered to see the pope off at Philadelphia International Airport. The marching band from Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield, Pennsylvania, played for his sendoff.
"I thank the Lord that I was able to witness the faith of God’s people in this country, as manifested in our moments of prayer together and evidenced in so many works of charity," he told the crowd. "Your care for me and your generous welcome are a sign of your love for Jesus and your faithfulness to him."
In less than a week the pontiff delivered nearly 20 addresses, including speeches at Congress, the United Nations, Independence Mall and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. He celebrated four Masses, canonized a saint, met with inmates at a Philadelphia prison and spoke to children and immigrants in East Harlem. He also had a meeting with survivors of clergy abuse.
Throughout his trip Francis pressed Americans on several recurring themes. He urged them to welcome the foreigners and refugees in their midst, reminding his audiences that he, too, is a child of immigrants. He spoke out against materialism and greed and championed the Golden Rule as a solution to many of the world's ills.
He invoked the spirits of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton to remind Americans of the prophetic and socially conscious leaders who have lead them throughout their history.
The pope reiterated the importance of the family as a fundamental Catholic value in many of his speeches. Through love, he said, families can overcome even the greatest hardships.
Many hundreds of thousands attended the pontiff's final Mass on Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Francis delivered a reflective homily inviting Christians to be "prophets" of God's message of love.
The pope asked audiences to pray for him as he closed nearly every address during his U.S. stay. In his farewell, he said: "I will pray for you and your families and I ask you, please, to pray for me. May God bless you all. God bless America!"
Follow HuffPost's live blog on the papal visit:
"Miremos a Jesús que nos lava los pies. Él es el camino…" #PapaFrancisco #PopeInPhilly pic.twitter.com/nmromDrGsY
— Antonio Spadaro SJ (@antoniospadaro) September 27, 2015
Did you see this? Emotional embrace between #PopeInPhilly and prisoner https://t.co/niTiRpwxkX
— Ryan M. Thomas ن (@RyanM_Thomas) September 27, 2015
Security out in full force in Philly. They've called in Border Patrol, for example. #PopeInPhilly pic.twitter.com/zhccQpREMJ
— Jaweed Kaleem (@jaweedkaleem) September 26, 2015
Crowds are out on the Ben Franklin parkway for the pope's parade. Getting a preview of his view. #PopeInPhilly pic.twitter.com/5wZ7G11G6b
— Jaweed Kaleem (@jaweedkaleem) September 26, 2015
pop(e) art pic.twitter.com/o1FsEGZF5x
— Jaweed Kaleem (@jaweedkaleem) September 26, 2015
1/2: Cardinal Dolan says Pope Francis asked to circle the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as he departed NYC in helicopter. #PopeInUS
— Melanie Grayce West (@MelanieGWest) September 26, 2015
2/2: Cardinal Dolan said Pope Francis was "very moved" at the sight of Statue of Liberty at daybreak. #PopeInNYC
— Melanie Grayce West (@MelanieGWest) September 26, 2015
He's here. #PopeinNYC #popeinmsg pic.twitter.com/3xW3OBH796
— Friends of Nativity (@NativityNYC) September 25, 2015
Smooth Henry Connick, Jr sings one of my praise jams ☺ "How Great Thou Art" #PopeinNYC #MSGMass pic.twitter.com/ANX4KwgTPJ
— Nicola_A_Menzie (@namenzie) September 25, 2015
#PopeFrancis' message to Catholic school students and immigrants in East Harlem. pic.twitter.com/s2oUeUvn5T
— HuffPost Religion (@HuffPostRelig) September 25, 2015
Pretty exciting day! Lots of crowds to see #PopeFrancis #PopeinNYC @Pontifex pic.twitter.com/oIrv3mDAKY
— Jeff Herzfeld (@jeffherzfeld) September 25, 2015
Ascension students and all of the Manhattan schools meet the Holy Father. We love you Holy Father! pic.twitter.com/Sq0nGk89ZS
— Ascension School (@Ascension_NYC) September 25, 2015
This picture of @Pontifex makes me think of the title of his encyclical: The JOY of the Gospel. #PopeinNYC pic.twitter.com/2JmEZuq5Vx
— Fr Matthew Schneider (@FrMatthewLC) September 25, 2015
@SocialinPhilly Annie cat in Fishtown is ready for #PopeInUSA pic.twitter.com/sAsEIPDk8d
— Patrice Bendig (@Patrice_Bendig) September 25, 2015
This shouldn't take too long. #PopeinNYC pic.twitter.com/oIJeQuXKZv
— Grant Gallicho (@gallicho) September 25, 2015
Serious crowds outside Madison Sq Garden, where pope celebrates Mass tonight, & serious security inside Penn Station pic.twitter.com/vKhw8srj1H
— Jaweed Kaleem (@jaweedkaleem) September 25, 2015
Two planes create a cross directly over the United Nations after @Pontifex's speech concludes. #PopeInNYC pic.twitter.com/YqwjabIypC
— Catherine Szeltner (@CatSzeltner) September 25, 2015
Thousands await Pope Francis to celebrate Mass and the canonization of Junipero Serra pic.twitter.com/yTYwdogkw9
— Jaweed Kaleem (@jaweedkaleem) September 23, 2015