In a much-anticipated visit, Pope Francis arrived at the White House Wednesday morning, where he's meeting with President Obama and will address a crowd of more than 11,000 people, before embarking on a short parade for thousands more well-wishers.
Later today, Francis will meet with U.S. bishops. And in the afternoon, he'll celebrate a canonization Mass in honor of Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
On Thursday, the pope will address Congress. We'll update this post with news from the pope's visit to Washington.
Update at 9:57 a.m. ET: Official Ceremony Ends
Obama and Francis stand after the choir sings and an honor guard goes through more steps to conclude the welcoming ceremony. The pope then leads the way into the White House, followed by President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Moments later, they emerge to wave from the porch of the White House's South Portico, as the crowd gives a final round of applause.
Update at 9:54 a.m. ET: Gospel Choir Sings
President Obama and Pope Francis chat in their chairs on a dais as the St. Augustine Gospel Choir, from a church in Washington, performs on the lawn. They sing "Total Praise."
Update at 9:53 a.m. ET: Pope's Speech Has Ended
Addressing President Obama, the pope says, "once again, I thank you for your welcome. And I look forward to these days here to come. God bless America."
Update at 9:50 a.m. ET: Quoting Martin Luther King
Referencing a line from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, the pope says, "We can say that we have defaulted on a promissory note — and now is a time to honor it."
Update at 9:48 a.m. ET: Pope Francis On Freedom And Environment
One of America's most precious possessions is freedom, Francis says, adding that it must be protected "from everything that would threaten or compromise it."
He then goes on to praise President Obama for his initiative on climate change, calling it a "problem which can no longer be left to future generations."
Update at 9:45 a.m. ET: The Pope Speaks
Pope Francis says that as the son of immigrants, he is "happy to be a guest of this country."
He adds that when he speaks to Congress, he hopes to encourage America's leaders to be true to the country's founding ideal. And he says that in Philadelphia he will try to shore up Catholics' devotion to their families.
Update at 9:42 a.m. ET: 'A Profound Moral Example'
President Obama says that by his words and deeds, Pope Francis is "shaking us out of complacency."
Update at 9:40 a.m. ET: Thankful For Help With Cuba
Obama tells Francis, "we are grateful for your invaluable support of our new beginning with the Cuban people."
Update at 9:38 a.m. ET: The Pope's Unique Appeal
The excitement in America around Francis' visit, Obama tells the pope, is due "not only to your role as pope, but to your unique qualities as a person."
He goes on to praise Francis for his humility and generosity of spirit, saying that in those things "we see a living example of Jesus' teachings, a leader whose moral authority comes not just through words but also through deeds."
Update at 9:36 a.m. ET: Extolling The Church's Works
From the busy streets of Buenos Aires to remote villages in Kenya, Catholic organizations serve the poor, minister to prisoners, build schools, build homes, and operate orphanages and hospitals.
Obama adds, "just as the Church has stood with those struggling to break the chains of poverty, it has given voice and hope to those seeking to break the chains of violence and oppression."
Update at 9:33 a.m. ET: 'A Beautiful Day'
After much fanfare, President Obama welcomes Pope Francis to the White House, saying, "What a beautiful day the Lord has made."
Fact check: It is indeed sunny and cool in Washington on this pleasant morning.
"I should explain that our backyard is not typically this crowded – but the size and spirit of today's gathering is just a small reflection of the deep devotion of some 70 million American Catholics," he says. "It reflects, as well, the way your message of love and hope has inspired so many people, across our nation and around the world."
Update at 9:29 a.m. ET: A Small Parade
A red-coated band is parading, playing their way around the White House's South Lawn.
Update at 9:22 a.m. ET: Pope Arrives
Arriving to applause, Pope Francis gets out of his Fiat and greets the Obamas on the red carpet. Then he and the president walk to a dais outfitted with a podium.
Then they listen to the Vatican City national anthem — followed by the U.S. national anthem.
Update at 9:21 a.m. ET: Obamas Emerge
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have emerged to wait on the red carpet.
Update at 9:18 a.m. ET: Thousands Gathered To See Pope
Reporting from the area around the White House, NPR's Jennifer Ludden says that the gates were opened at 4 a.m. this morning to begin letting people in — and some brought sleeping bags, hoping to rest before trying to get a glimpse of the pope.
"He will have a little car that he will drive on a route kind of around the White House lawn part of the National Mall."
Jennifer adds, "He's known for jumping out sometimes and shaking hands, so people will be looking forward to that as well. He'll just do a short circuit... some government workers could get a good view — if, that is, they're able to make it into their offices today."
Security preparations for the event are roughly equal to those that would be put in place for a presidential inauguration, Jennifer says.
Here are President Obama's full remarks, as prepared beforehand:
"Good morning! What a beautiful day the Lord has made! Holy Father, on behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House. Our backyard is not typically this crowded – but the size and spirit of today's gathering is just a small reflection of the deep devotion of some 70 million American Catholics...and the way your message of love and hope has inspired so many people, across our nation and around the world. On behalf of the American people, it is my great honor and privilege to welcome you to the United States of America.
"Today, we mark many firsts. Your Holiness, you have been celebrated as the first Pope from the Americas. This is your first visit to the United States. And you are also the first pontiff to share an Encyclical through a Twitter account.
"Holy Father, your visit not only allows me, in some small way, to reciprocate the extraordinary hospitality you extended to me at the Vatican last year. It also reveals how much all Americans, from every background and of every faith, value the role that the Catholic Church plays in strengthening America. From my time working in impoverished neighborhoods with the Catholic Church in Chicago, to my travels as President, I've seen firsthand how, every day, Catholic communities, priests, nuns, and laity feed the hungry, heal the sick, shelter the homeless, educate our children, and fortify the faith that sustains so many.
"What is true in America is true around the world. From the busy streets of Buenos Aires to remote villages in Kenya, Catholic organizations serve the poor, minister to prisoners, build schools and homes, and operate orphanages and hospitals. And just as the Church has stood with those struggling to break the chains of poverty, it has given voice and hope to those seeking to break the chains of violence and oppression.
"And yet, I believe the excitement around your visit must be attributed not only to your role as pope, but to your unique qualities as a person. In your humility, your embrace of simplicity, the gentleness of your words and the generosity of your spirit, we see a living example of Jesus' teachings, a leader whose moral authority comes not just through words but also through deeds.
"You call on all of us, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, to put the 'least of these' at the center of our concern. You remind us that in the eyes of God our measure as individuals, and as societies, is not determined by wealth or power or station or celebrity, but by how well we hew to Scripture's call to lift up the poor and the marginalized, to stand up for justice and against inequality, and to ensure that every human being is able to live in dignity – because we are all made in the image of God.
"You remind us that 'the Lord's most powerful message' is mercy. That means welcoming the stranger with empathy and a truly open heart – from the refugee who flees war torn lands, to the immigrant who leaves home in search of a better life. It means showing compassion and love for the marginalized and the outcast, those who have suffered, and those who seek redemption.
"You remind us of the costs of war, particularly on the powerless and defenseless, and urge us toward the imperative of peace. Holy Father, we are grateful for your invaluable support of our new beginning with the Cuban people, which holds out the promise of better relations between our countries, greater cooperation across our hemisphere, and a better life for the Cuban people. We thank you for your passionate voice against the deadly conflicts that ravage the lives of so many men, women, and children; and your call for nations to resist the sirens of war and resolve disputes through diplomacy.
"You remind us that people are only truly free when they can practice their faith freely. Here in the United States, we cherish religious liberty. Yet around the world at this very moment, children of God, including Christians, are targeted and even killed because of their faith. Believers are prevented from gathering at their places of worship. The faithful are imprisoned. Churches are destroyed. So we stand with you in defense of religious freedom and interfaith dialogue, knowing that people everywhere must be able to live out their faith free from fear and intimidation.
"And, Holy Father, you remind us that we have a sacred obligation to protect our planet – God's magnificent gift to us. We support your call to all world leaders to support the communities most vulnerable to a changing climate and to come together to preserve our precious world for future generations.
"Your Holiness, in your words and deeds, you set a profound moral example. And in these gentle but firm reminders of our obligations to God and to one another, you are shaking us out of complacency. All of us may, at times, experience discomfort when we contemplate the distance between how we lead our daily lives and what we know to be true and right. But I believe such discomfort is a blessing, for it points to something better. You shake our conscience from slumber; you call on us to rejoice in Good News, and give us confidence that we can come together, in humility and service, and pursue a world that is more loving, more just, and more free. Here at home and around the world, may our generation heed your call to 'never remain on the sidelines of this march of living hope!'
"For that great gift of hope, Holy Father, we thank you, and welcome you, with joy and gratitude, to the United States of America."
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