Pope Francis' Top 10 Social Media Moments of U.S. Tour
By Sarah Glover ••
Pope Francis blessed many babies during his U.S. tour but on the last day of his trip he blessed a baby dressed as the pope himself in Philadelphia. When he saw the dressed up baby, Francis seemed to laugh heartily. (Video credit: Dana Madden)
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.
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
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
AP
Pope Francis looks out of his car after being greeted by President Barack Obama, and first lady Michelle Obama at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
AP
Clergy brace for the wind as they stand along the red carpet on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, Sept. 22, 2015, as Pope Francis arrives.
Getty Images
Pope Francis waves from the back of his Fiat after arriving from Cuba September 22, 2015 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Francis will be visiting Washington, New York City and Philadelphia during his first trip to the United States as Pope.
AP
Workers set up rows of chairs in preparation of the Pope's visit at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Sept. 21, 2015, in Washington.
AP
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama greet Pope Francis upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015.
AP
A Park Service Police Officer checks his telephone while waiting for Pope Francis departure from the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican's diplomatic mission in Washington, Sept. 23, 2015.
AP
Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill await the arrival of Pope Francis, Sept. 23, 2015, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.
Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
US President Barack Obama and Pope Francis watch the Fife and Drum Corps during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, September 23, 2015.
AP
Children of parents who work at the Lithuanian Embassy take selfies with Pope Francis as he departs the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican's diplomatic mission in Washington, Sept. 23, 2015.
Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty Images
US President Barack Obama and Pope Francis wave during an arrival ceremony at the White House on September 23, 2015 in Washington,DC.
Luke Russert
Nuns waiting outside of The Catholic University of America ahead of Pope Francis' Mass.
Pope Francis waves to the crowd as he rides in a popemobile along a parade route around the National Mall on September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC.
AP
Pope Francis attends a Midday Prayer Service at the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington, Sept. 23, 2015.
AP
Pope Francis greets well-wishers as he departs the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican's diplomatic mission inWashington, Sept. 23, 2015.
AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis performs Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on September 23, 2015.
Getty Images
The choir sings for Pope Francis at Midday Prayer of the Divine with more than 300 U.S. Bishops at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle on September 23, 2015 in Washington, D.C.
AP
A child is escorted back before Pope Francis called for the child to be brought to him, during a parade in Washington, Sept. 23, 2015.
AP
Raul Cruz, from suburban Los Angeles, holds his daughter Sophie Cruz, 5, after an interview with the Associated Press in Washington, Sept. 23, 2015. Sophie crossed a police barricade to greet Pope Francis during his parade.
AP
A group protesting the canonization of Junipero Serra gathers in a small mission cemetery at the Carmel Mission, Sept. 23, 2015, in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California. Pope Francis canonized Serra in the first canonization on U.S. soil.
AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis performs Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on September 23, 2015.
Getty Images
Pope Francis arrives for the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC.
AP
President Barack Obama talks with Pope Francis in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Sept. 23, 2015.
Pete Souza
Pope Francis meets the Obama's dogs, Bo and Sunny, in the Blue Room of the White House on his visit Sept 23, 2015.
Pope Francis give the thumbs-up from the popemobile during a parade around the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, Sept. 23, 2015.
Getty Images
Father Matthew Schneider poses for a portrait in his "Popemoji" t-shirt, September 23, 2015 in Washington, D.C.
Bill Clark/Roll Call/Pool
Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, right, greets Pope Francis in the U.S. Capitol building as the Pope arrives to deliver his speech to a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015.
Photo by Doug Mills/Pool/The New York Times/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Pope Francis blesses a child beside U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner and Vice President Joe Biden in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. on September 24, 2015.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis (C) waves, next to US Vice President Joe Biden (2L) and US Speaker of the House John Boehner (3R) at the Capitol building in Washington, DC, after addressing the US Congress on September 24, 2015.
AP
Nuns from the order of the Servants of the Lord pose for a photograph as they wait outside the U.S. Capitol for a chance to see Pope Francis in Washington, Sept. 24, 2015.
Carolyn Kaster/AP
Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, making history as the first pontiff to do so.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on September 24, 2015 in Washington, DC. Pope Francis is the first pope to address a joint meeting of Congress.
Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool
Pope Francis, accompanied by members of Congress, waves to the crowd from the Speakers Balcony on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, after addressing a joint meeting of Congress inside.
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Pope Francis speaks at St. Patrick's Catholic Church September 24, 2015 in Washington, D.C. The Pope is on his first trip to the United States, visiting Washington, D.C, New York and Philadelphia.
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Kaydn Dorsey, 4, left, and Lionel Perkins, 4, draw on a coloring sheet bearing the image of Pope Francis as they wait for him to arrive on a visit to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington September 24, 2015, in Washington, D.C. The charity serves dinner to about 300 homeless people daily at the site, and it will serve a meal during the pope's visit.
Jewel SamadAFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis places a white rose on the names of the September 11 victims at the edge of the South Pool of the 9/11 memorial in New York on September 25, 2015.
Susan Watts/New York Daily News via AP, Pool
Pope Francis visits the 9/11 Museum, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015 in New York.
Elyse Perlmutter-Gumbiner/NBC News
A nun is checked by a TSA agent in Philadelphia ahead of the pope's arrival, Sept. 26, 2015.
AP
Pope Francis is flanked by United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon as they arrive at the United Nations headquarters, Sept. 25, 2015.
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Pope Francis makes his way up Fifth Avenue toward St. Patrick's Cathedral in the popemobile September 24, 2015 in New York City.
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Police stand watch outside St. Patrick's Cathedral awaiting the arrival of Pope Francis September 24, 2015 in New York City.
Vincezno PintoAFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis enters Madison Square Garden to lead mass on September 25, 2015 in New York City.
Michael Appleton/Pool/Getty Images
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Madison Square Garden on September 25, 2015 in New York City.
AP
Pope Francis stops to meet people after arriving at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015.
Pope Francis blesses Michael Keating, 10, after arriving at the Philadelphia airport. Keating has cerebral palsy.
AP
Dominican Sisters from Nashville, Tenn., talk in view of City Hall ahead of the Festival of Families, Sept. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia.
AP
Pope Francis delivers his homily during a Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Sept. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia.
AP
The wind lifts Pope Francis' mantle as he delivers his speech in front of Independence Hall, Sept. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia.
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People cheer and wave Pope Francis dolls as they gather along Benjamin Franklin Parkway as they await the arrival of Pope Francis at the Festival of Families on September 26, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pope Francis is wrapping up his trip to the United States with two days in Philadelphia where he will attend the Festival of Families and will meet with prisoners at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.
@JesseHliu
Pope Francis blesses a small baby while riding in the popemobile through the streets of Philadelphia, Sept. 26 2015.
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Pope Francis hugs a disabled man during the Festival of Families on September 26, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
AP
New Jersey Air Force National Guard members patrol the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia. The bridge was shut down to vehicular traffic over the weekend during the Pope Francis' visit to the city.
AP
Pope Francis speaks in front of Independence Hall, from the lectern used by President Abraham Lincoln during the Gettysburg Address, Sept. 26, 2015 in Philadelphia.
AP
Pam Kessler, left, of Montclair, N.J., helps her mother Carmen Kessler, 84, of Queens, N.Y., put a glove on as they wait for a Mass conducted by Pope Francis to begin along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia.
AP
Pope Francis greets inmates during his visit to Curran Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia, Sept. 27, 2015.
Anna McNichol, 10, looks through binoculars to see Pope Francis on the altar in Philadelphia, Sept. 27, 2015.
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Pope Francis celebrates mass at the World Meeting of Families at Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Sept. 27, 2015 n Philadelphia.
AP
Bellatrix, left, and Addie, right, have their picture taken by pedestrians as they are walked outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center, host of the World Meeting of Families conference, Sept. 25, 2015, in Philadelphia.
AP
A man holds a child as Pope Francis celebrates Mass, Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia.
AP
Pope Francis looks at the Statue of Liberty from the window of a helicopter on his way to the John F. Kennedy International Airport, in New York, Sept. 26, 2015.
AP
Pope Francis looks out the window a plane as he prepares to depart Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Sept. 27, 2015, on his way back to Rome.
