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Pope Francis welcomed in regal White House ceremony Pope Francis urges action on climate change on visit to US
(35 minutes later)
Pope Francis has arrived at the White House and is set to deliver an address in front of thousands in the first of a week's worth of events in the US. Pope Francis has called for further action on climate change saying that it was "a critical moment of history", on the first day of his visit to the US.
The regal ceremony and speech come before the pontiff holds talks with President Barack Obama. Speaking to a crowd of more than 11,000 people on the White House South Lawn, the pontiff said the problem could "no longer be left to a future generation".
The president called the Pope "inspiring" in opening remarks on the South Lawn of the White House. President Barack Obama said the Pope reminded people "that we have a sacred obligation to protect our planet".
Later Pope Francis will pray with US bishops and lead Mass at the largest Roman Catholic church in North America. The Pope will later conduct the first canonisation on US soil.
The ceremony at the White House will differ from most other state visits. Mr Obama and Pope Francis will not review the troops, as presidents do with other visiting leaders, because the pontiff does not control any armed forces. The canonisation will be part of a Spanish-language Mass to be held at the largest Roman Catholic church in North America, and will elevate to sainthood the Spanish missionary who brought Christianity to what is now the US west coast.
The Pope will also not return to the White House in the evening as the guest at a lavish state dinner, seen as a highlight of most state visits. At the afternoon Mass, Junipero Serra, a Spanish Franciscan who founded a mission in California in the 18th Century, will become the first Hispanic saint in the US.
Instead he will lead a mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, where he is due to canonise the Spanish priest who brought Christianity to what is now the US west coast.
Controversial saint
Junipero Serra, a Spanish Franciscan who founded a mission in California in the 18th Century, will become the first Hispanic saint in the US.
But the decision to canonise the missionary has been criticised by Native Americans, who view him as someone who aggressively imposed Catholicism on their ancestors.But the decision to canonise the missionary has been criticised by Native Americans, who view him as someone who aggressively imposed Catholicism on their ancestors.
Pope Francis has in the past apologised for the treatment of indigenous people.Pope Francis has in the past apologised for the treatment of indigenous people.
The BBC's Gary O'Donoghue in Washington says the Pope's outspoken views on issues such as capitalism and immigration have made the visit as much a political event as a spiritual one.The BBC's Gary O'Donoghue in Washington says the Pope's outspoken views on issues such as capitalism and immigration have made the visit as much a political event as a spiritual one.
Earlier this year, he termed unbridled capitalism "the dung of the devil".Earlier this year, he termed unbridled capitalism "the dung of the devil".
But on his arrival in the US, he said he wasn't really "a lefty" and that in his many statements on the economy, he had never gone against the Church's social doctrine.But on his arrival in the US, he said he wasn't really "a lefty" and that in his many statements on the economy, he had never gone against the Church's social doctrine.
His first public comments will come at the White House and on Thursday he will become the first Pope to address a joint session of Congress.His first public comments will come at the White House and on Thursday he will become the first Pope to address a joint session of Congress.
On Friday, he will attend the UN General Assembly in New York and hold an open-air Mass in Philadelphia on Sunday.On Friday, he will attend the UN General Assembly in New York and hold an open-air Mass in Philadelphia on Sunday.
Unprecedented security
The US authorities have launched one of the biggest security operations in US history to ensure the Pope's safety.The US authorities have launched one of the biggest security operations in US history to ensure the Pope's safety.
Federal employees have been urged to work remotely while the Pope is in the capital.Federal employees have been urged to work remotely while the Pope is in the capital.
The pontiff is very popular in the US and is expected to draw massive crowds in all three cities.The pontiff is very popular in the US and is expected to draw massive crowds in all three cities.
Profile: Pope FrancisProfile: Pope Francis
Five tricky issues for the Pope in the USFive tricky issues for the Pope in the US
The pontiff's scheduleThe pontiff's schedule
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