Obama welcomes Pope Francis to the US
September 23 2015 By Abi Giwa
Pope Francis was welcomed to the United Stares earlier on Wednesday by President Barack Obama at a ceremony in the White House.Yes, Pope Francis has arrived the New World after a visit to Cuba.
We all know why the pope's visit to Cuba and the US is important at this time. The pope had midwifed the new relationship between Cuba and the US, and there is a need to meet both nations' leader and see the good work he has done at ending a Cold War.
A CNN report showed the pope in an open white painted car at the National Mall. The pope is dressed in full white regalia. He beamed with smiles and waved his hands in response to applause.
Others around the pope's small white car wore colored suits - either black, blue or red and other vehicles were black, red or blue colors, with security lights switching from blue to red and red to blue.
A baby was brought to the Pope; he touched the baby and the baby was returned to the mother. After thoughts on the television news report, it was natural to turn to newspapers' reports.
But, the number of cars that provided security for the pope and the motorbike riders remind you of the importance of ceremonies during state visits. This is also a state visit, and the New York Times has more in words than one has seen on the television.
President Obama talked glowingly about the pope's effort at bringing two differing nations back together. The pope in turn spoke about America being an immigrants country, immigration and the president's effort at curbing global climate.
Curiously, the New York Times reported that the pope avoided two areas in his comments during the welcome ceremony in the White House :Abortion and the same sex marriage, two areas the Times said are traditionally cause of differences between the Church and the US:
But why would Pope Francis be passive about the important role he is expected to play in guiding the society on social issues as a Church leader? Hasn't most if the television anchors been saying that the pope is taking the church toward a new direction?
What is the new direction that the pope is taking the Church if he would voice his support or opposition against abortion and the same sex marriage? Should the pope's silence on these be regarded as golden?
Many observers have expected that the pope will make the church position clear on same sex marriage on his visit to the US, unlike abortion which the Catholic a church and Churches have never hidden their disapproval.
And may the pope will still talk about these issues, since he has two mire days to interact with Americans here. He is expected to visit the Ground Zero on Thursday and be hosted in New York City too, before heading to Philadelphia.
We all know why the pope's visit to Cuba and the US is important at this time. The pope had midwifed the new relationship between Cuba and the US, and there is a need to meet both nations' leader and see the good work he has done at ending a Cold War.
A CNN report showed the pope in an open white painted car at the National Mall. The pope is dressed in full white regalia. He beamed with smiles and waved his hands in response to applause.
Others around the pope's small white car wore colored suits - either black, blue or red and other vehicles were black, red or blue colors, with security lights switching from blue to red and red to blue.
A baby was brought to the Pope; he touched the baby and the baby was returned to the mother. After thoughts on the television news report, it was natural to turn to newspapers' reports.
But, the number of cars that provided security for the pope and the motorbike riders remind you of the importance of ceremonies during state visits. This is also a state visit, and the New York Times has more in words than one has seen on the television.
President Obama talked glowingly about the pope's effort at bringing two differing nations back together. The pope in turn spoke about America being an immigrants country, immigration and the president's effort at curbing global climate.
Curiously, the New York Times reported that the pope avoided two areas in his comments during the welcome ceremony in the White House :Abortion and the same sex marriage, two areas the Times said are traditionally cause of differences between the Church and the US:
But why would Pope Francis be passive about the important role he is expected to play in guiding the society on social issues as a Church leader? Hasn't most if the television anchors been saying that the pope is taking the church toward a new direction?
What is the new direction that the pope is taking the Church if he would voice his support or opposition against abortion and the same sex marriage? Should the pope's silence on these be regarded as golden?
Many observers have expected that the pope will make the church position clear on same sex marriage on his visit to the US, unlike abortion which the Catholic a church and Churches have never hidden their disapproval.
And may the pope will still talk about these issues, since he has two mire days to interact with Americans here. He is expected to visit the Ground Zero on Thursday and be hosted in New York City too, before heading to Philadelphia.
