“Buenos Dias,” Pope Francis said from the Capitol balcony in Washington Thursday, flanked by Vice President Joe Biden, Speaker John Boehner and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, all Roman Catholics.
The pontiff’s appearance followed his address to a joint session of Congress.
He asked the crowd to pray for him. Francis’s message was not reserved for only the faithful, however. “If there are among you any who do not believe or cannot pray, I ask you to please send good wishes my way,” he said, to thunderous cheers.
“Father of all, bless these. Bless each of them. Bless the families. Bless them all … and God bless America!”
