Philadelphia

Pope Francis' Top 10 Social Media Moments of U.S. Tour

Pope Francis dominated social media throughout the duration of his whirlwind United States tour. As Francis made stops in Washington, D.C., New York and Philadelphia, he met with the homeless and world leaders, shared with seminarians and bishops that "God weeps" for victims of sexual abuse, visited prisoners and spoke from a lectern used by President Abraham Lincoln at Independence Hall. The pope's six-day schedule was nonstop. 

Pilgrims lined the streets with smartphones and posted to social media about rainbow sightings in New York and Philadelphia. Those colorful bursts of light turned out to be sundogs.

After several parades in his popemobile, Francis rounded the streets of Philadelphia in his biggest yet to conclude the 2015 World Meeting of Families. He celebrated an outdoor Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with nearly 1 million of the faithful.

Here are the top 10 social media moments along the #PopeinUS journey:

10. Pope Addresses World Leaders at the United Nations General Assembly

Pope Francis spoke on the problems facing humanity, such as saving the environment and putting down nuclear weapons, to hundreds of world leaders during the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly. "Any harm done to the environment, therefore, is harm done to humanity," he said.

9. Pope Kisses, Blesses Babies

The pontiff was generous with his kisses along his parade routes. As Francis arrived at Independence Hall, two tiny babies were hoisted up in the air in front of his popemobile. He gave each a gentle kiss. Another top moment came when Francis noticed Dana and Daniel Madden’s baby daughter Quinn who was dressed in a pope outfit. He laughed then kissed her on the cheek.

8. Pope Makes House Speaker John Boehner Cry in Congress

La policía de Rosemont confirmó el lunes sobre la existencia de un video publicado en Facebook la misma noche en que una jovencita desapareció y más tarde fue encontrada muerta dentro de un congelador en un hotel. Los detectives examinan el video y varios mensajes en las redes sociales mientras que intentan esclarecer la muerte de Kenneka Jenkins de 19...

7. Francis Meets Bo and Sunny at the White House

Meeting President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House would not be complete without an introduction to presidential pooches Bo and Sunny. 

FrancisBoSunny-sm
Pete Souza
Pope Francis meets the Obamas' dogs, Bo and Sunny, in the Blue Room of the White House on his visit Sept. 23, 2015.

6. Girl Runs From Barrier, Delivers Love Letter to Pope

A little girl makes her way through the crowd to reach the pope in Washington to deliver a T-shirt and a handmade card that said, "My friends and I love each other regardless of the color of our skin." 

VIX spikes just aren't what they used to be.

5. Stealing Selfies With His Holiness

A young girl wearing braids beams as she steals a selfie moment with Pope Francis in Washington. 

pope-meta-selfie
Left: AP, Right: Enija Davidonyte
Enija Davidonyte posted the photo to Facebook with the following caption: "I feel absolutely blessed! I met with a Pope Francis today and actually got to take a picture and meet him."

4. Francis Leaves Flower at 9/11 Memorial

"Here, grief is palpable. This is a place where we cry," Francis said after placing a white rose at the 9/11 memorial. 

APTOPIX US Pope Francis
AP

3. Girl in Wheelchair Blessed by Pope: 'I Will Walk Again'

Francis was welcomed with cheers and chants as he arrived at JFK Airport in New York City. He approached and blessed Brooklyn teen Julia Buzzese who is confined to a wheelchair.  "It means that he's going to give me a miracle, to walk again," Buzzese said, crying. "I know I will walk again because of him."

2. #PopeFiat Mania

After stopping to bless members in the crowd at his arrival at JFK Airport, the pope headed toward his ride -- a Fiat 500. Social media went into an uproar as the small vehicle was surrounded by an entourage of SUVs. The pope's arm emerged from the Fiat's passenger rear window to cheers. 

GIF: Pope Waving
WRC
Pope Francis waves from a Fiat 500.

1. Pope Celebrates Mass With Nearly 1 Million People in Philadelphia

The finale of the 2015 World Meeting of Families was an outdoor Mass celebrated by Pope Francis on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. An estimated 860,000 people were in attendance as Francis called for tolerance and praised the "little gestures” of daily life that he said not only are tied to happiness but also holiness.

Here are all the best moments from Francis' visits to D.C.New York and Philadelphia

[NATL] Top Photos From Pope Francis' U.S. Visit

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