Pope Francis addressed the United State’s Congress with a message of love, hope, and healing that has seemed to reach many Americans and citizens all over the world.

Pope Francis stepped out onto American soil for the first time in his life on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at around 4pm. After a long flight, the Pope was welcomed at the Joint Base Andrews airport in Washington D.C. by the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama.

The arrival of the Pope in the U.S. was broadcasted all over national news and showed a genuine and kind greeting from one leader to another as many Americans gathered to watch the monumental moment.

According to CNN, the Pope was welcomed by the crowd chanting his name as we met the President, First Lady Michelle Obama, her mother Marian Robinson, and their two children Natasha and Malia.

The Brave community greatly anticipated the Holy Father’s visit as well.

“I first heard about the Pope’s visit to the U.S. on Twitter,” said senior Laura Marty, “As do most celebrities today, Pope Francis has a Twitter account, and when he tweeted that he would be visiting the U.S. for the first time, I was really excited. A little disappointing that Seattle was not one of his stops, but I guess he’ll just have to visit us next time!”

On the following day, the Pope participated in a parade along 15th Street in Washington D.C. after personally meeting with Obama in the White House. Regardless of whether they were Catholic or not, Americans met Pope Francis with cheers and chants. People gathered at windows and on the streets in hopes of seeing even a glimpse of the pontiff’s first day in the country.

Following the parade, the Pope held a mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. According to USA TODAY, the mass was spoken in Spanish in order to honor the canonization of Spanish-American, Junípero Serra.

On Thursday, September 24, 2015, the most anticipated aspect of the Pope’s arrival took place at the Capitol where he addressed Congress. His message revolved around the importance of using the country’s power to promote the common good of all citizens of the world.

He spoke of famous leaders in American history in an attempt to reach a greater audience than just Catholic Americans. Pope Francis talked about the influence that leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King continue to have on the American society as a whole.

He challenged the congressman to focus less on fighting with each other and more on healing as a nation to provide justice to all. In order to accomplish this he suggest that the nation stop the death penalty, due to the idea that it takes away human dignity, as well as work together to provide educational resources to young men and women who aren’t as lucky in some cases. Overall, the Pope’s message focused on providing hope and healing for a better world.

“In these remarks I have sought to present some of the richness of your cultural heritage, of the spirit of American people,” said the Pontiff according to Time Magazine Online. “It is my desire that this spirit continue to develop and grow, so that as many young people as possible can inherit and dwell in a land which has inspired so many people to believe, God bless America.”

The Holy Father’s address to Congress sparked much thought for American Catholics.

“Pope Francis inspired me by honoring the American Dream in a spirit of inclusion and equality,” said Ms. Kathy Quinn. “He challenged us to pursue the American Dream so that more people, especially the poor, can participate in the Dream.

When the Pope spoke specifically about the key contribution of Americans to the Modern Church, Quinn was thrilled.

“I was very proud to be an American and a Catholic when Pope Francis selected 4 “great Americans” to honor – Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dorothy Day, and Thomas Merton, “ said Quinn.

Later that night, the Pope held an evening mass at Saint Peter’s Cathedral after flying into New York City.

The Pope didn’t waste a minute of his time in the Big Apple. Early in the morning of September 25, 2015, the pope addressed another aspect of world politics-The United Nations. After thanking the men and women of the U.N. for their daily efforts to bring about peace, the Pope addressed the environment.

“First, because we human beings are part of the environment,” said Pope Francis. “We live in communion with it, since the environment itself entails ethical limits which human activity must acknowledge and respect.”

The pope then went on to visit some of the most significant places in New York City including the 9/11 Memorial and Museum where we participated in a religious ceremony. The religious events weren’t over after that though. The pope finished off his night by conducting a large mass held in the Madison Square Garden to conclude his time in New York.

Pope Francis spent his last two days in the United States in the City of Brotherly Love. Where better to get the full American experience than in the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and where the liberty bell still lives. Again he held a mass, this time at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul where according to PhillyVoice.com, he gave a synod emphasizing the family as the heart of the modern world.

After visiting Independence Hall in the afternoon, the Pope participated in the Festival of Families at Benjamin Franklin Parkway where he again talked about the importance of family.

According to Pope Francis Visit, the Pope spent his final day working hard to embrace his values of love, peace, and family. He met with the bishops at Saint Martin’s Chapel before heading to a correctional facility and then traveled to meet with organizers of the World Meeting of Families.

The Pontiff’s trip came to an end on September 27th, 2015 as he departed back to Rome. Although his trip was short and sweet, his influence on the American perspective was powerful and bold. He directly addressed the United States Congress for the first time in history. His message was one of hope for love and healing in order for our nation to fully reach its vast potential.This message seemed to reach many Americans, and not just Catholics.

“I heard his speech to Congress on the news, and it was meaningful,” said Senior Alex Freeman.

“It was powerful and made me think about what I can do for the U.S. to achieve his goal of peace.”