The 78-year-old leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics was heading to the historic Independence Hall where colonists declared their freedom from British rule to deliver his message of religious freedom and compassionate immigration.
More than 40,000 people had gathered to hear the 266th and current Pope of the Catholic Church speaks.
"Society is weakened wherever and whenever injustice prevails," he told the crowd to applause. He said recent immigrants to the U.S. should not be discouraged by the challenges they face.
"I ask you not to forget that like those who came before you, you bring many gifts to this great nation," he said. The pope concluded by leading the crowd, in English, in the Lord's Prayer.
"God bless you all," he said before stepping away from the podium.
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