Lombardi briefs journalists on Pope's US visit

(Vatican Radio) The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, SJ briefed journalists on the Holy Father’s visit to the United States, following an arrival ceremony Tuesday evening at Andrew’s Air force base in Washington. 

Speaking to the journalists gathered  Father Lombardi commented on the pope’s in flight press conference en route from Cuba to the United States.

After conveying the Pope’s thanks for the work  they are doing for this visit, especially in conveying his message of peace, Father Lombardi said the Holy Father was in good health and very happy to be in the United States.

He noted that the Pope in the last five months had been to five lands in the Americas.

Fr Lombardi, reflecting on the visits the Holy Father has made so far during his pontificate, said that the experience of the Pope as “universal pastor is growing” as is his understanding of the problems in the world today.

He went on to say that, now the Pope is ready to address global questions, like he has already done in his encyclical Laudato Si.

Fr Lombardi added that Pope Francis’ speeches to the US Congress and the United Nations are interesting because they are coming from a Pope, who through experience has gained the moral authority to interpret questions that the world is grappling with at a global level.

The Pope, said Fr Lombardi comes to the United States for the first time as someone who will speak but also learn, it will be an “experience of encounter”.

Also present at the briefing was US Cardinal Daniel Di Nardo, Archbishop of Houston who reminded the journalists that Pope Francis comes to the United States first and foremost as a pastor.

The Pope, said the Cardinal, is “inviting us toward better service to one another”.