Pope leaves Washington D.C., leaves lasting impression
NEW YORK (KGO) -- Pope Francis got some rest overnight, but that's after a whirlwind Thursday that took him from the halls of Congress to midtown Manhattan.
There was a New York welcome for the pope as thousands lined Fifth Avenue to catch a glimpse of the humble leader of the Catholic Church -- the champion of the poor -- as he made his way up one of the world's ritziest streets.
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"I feel that he's all about love and understanding and tolerance," said one New Yorker.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York welcomed the pope to Saint Patrick's Cathedral.
In a sunset mass in Manhattan, the pontiff echoed a familiar theme heard throughout his visit to America. He said, "Gratitude and hard work are the pillars of a spiritual life."
Earlier in the day, in Washington, D.C., he made history by becoming the first pontiff to address a joint-session of Congress.
Using the words "we" and "us," the pope encouraged lawmakers to take the lead on divisive issues, including the death penalty, climate change and immigration. Regarding immigrants he said, "We must not be taken back by their numbers, but rather view them as persons."
The Holy Father passed on an invitation for a Capitol Hill lunch with lawmakers, opting instead to spend the rest of his time in D.C. blessing a meal for the city's poor.
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