Many of us have been glued to the television these past couple of days watching the first visit of Pope Francis to the United States.
While Popes have made several visits to the United States, Pope Francis is only the third Pope to visit the White House.
The other two Popes were Pope John Paul II who visited the White House in October 1979 when Jimmy Carter was in office and Pope Benedict XVI who was received by George W. Bush at the White House in April 2008.
This is how the White House Historical Association describes those two historic visits:
“On October 6, 1979, Pope John Paul II arrived in an open-topped limousine, driving through the Northwest gate as he waved to onlookers on Pennsylvania Avenue.
President Jimmy Carter, First Lady Rosalynn Carter and Vice President and Mrs. Mondale greeted the Pope under the red-carpeted North Portico. The pontiff kissed 11 year-old Amy Carter.
Carter held a private meeting with John Paul in the Oval office for an hour and then emerged before 6,000 people gathered on the South Lawn. “Niech bedzie bog Pochwalony” (May God be praised,) said Carter in Polish. The pontiff responded, “It gives me great joy to be the first Pope in history to come to the capital of this nation, and I thank almighty God for this blessing.”
The president and the Pope ascendeded the South stairs to the Blue Room and then on to the Second Floor. They came out to wave on the Truman Balcony and, after delivering a papal blessing, the Pope returned to the South Lawn to mingle and to shake hands with the crowd for 20 minutes. The Pope left the White House about 5:00 p.m.”
President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter welcome Pope John Paul II into the White House on October 6, 1979. Photographer Donald J. Crump, Credit: White House Historical Association
“The second Pope to visit the White House was Pope Benedict XVI on April 16, 2008, which also happened to be the pontiff’s 81st birthday. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush greeted the Pope at Andrews Air Force Base, a departure from the tradition of the president and his family greeting official guests for the first time at the White House.
At the arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, soprano Kathleen Battle sang a version of “The Lord’s Prayer” before about 13,500 guests. The Pope received a 21-gun salute and the U.S. Marine Band played “Inno e Marcia Pontificale” (the national anthem of the Holy See) and “The Star Spangled Banner.” Pope Benedict and President Bush both spoke briefly and then were accompanied by the First Lady as they walked up the steps to the balcony next to the Blue Room, where the Pope spread his arms and received cheers.
Inside the Blue Room, the president surprised the Pope with a birthday cake before they went into the Oval Office for a private meeting.”
President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush greet Pope Benedict XVI upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on April 15, 2008. photographer Shealah Craighead, The National Archives
Pope Francis is still making history with his visit to the White House and a first-ever canonization in the U.S. today, a first-ever address to Congress tomorrow and several other memorable events during the final three days of his visit to the U.S.
Here are some photos and videos of his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Md. and of his visit to the White House — all from government sources.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave goodbye to Pope Francis as his motorcade departs Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sept. 22, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Pope Francis speaks during his arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House as President Barack Obama claps on September 23, 2015.
Photo:Matthew D’Agostino, White House Historical Association
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama introduce Pope Francis to their family pets Bo and Sonny in the Blue Room following the State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Sept. 23, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The White House prepares to welcome Pope Francis at the largest arrival ceremony that the Obama administration has held.
President Obama delivers remarks welcoming His Holiness Pope Francis to the White House during the Pope’s first visit to the United States. September 23, 2015.
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.