Pope greeted by thousands in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — He spoke at Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. He stood at the very lectern Abraham Lincoln used to deliver the Gettysburg Address. And he stepped forward to the stirring strains of "Fanfare for the Common Man." In a scene rich with historical symbolism, Pope Francis arrived in the City of Brotherly Love on Saturday, offering warm and affectionate words of welcome to immigrants and extolling America’s founding ideals of liberty and equality. "Those ringing words continue to inspire us today," the pope said of the Declaration of Independence, "even as they have inspired peoples throughout the world to fight for the freedom to live in accordance with their dignity."

Section:Gallery

Sat., Sept. 26, 2015

Pope Francis acknowledges the crowd as baby is carried near him in the popemobile along Independence Mall as he arrives for his speech outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
Pope Francis arrives in his popemobile to speak in front of Independence Hall, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia. (Tony Gentile/Pool Photo via AP)

Tony Gentile Pool Reuters
Pope Francis rides in the pope mobile in the Papal Parade during the Festival of Families, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia.

Matt Slocum Associated Press
Pope Francis makes his way to the Festival of Families along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015.

Eric Thayer New York Times
Audience members cheer as musician Matt Maher performs during the Festival of Families, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia.

Matt Rourke Pool, Associated Press
Pope Francis delivers his speech in front of Independence Hall, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia.

Tony Gentile Pool Reuters, Associated Press
The wind lifts Pope Francis' mantle as he delivers his speech in front of Independence Hall, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia.

Tony Gentile Pool Reuters Via Associated Press
A man attends the Festival of Families where Pope Francis is scheduled to appear, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia.

Matt Rourke Pool, Ap
Pope Francis delivers his speech in front of Independence Hall, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia.

Tony Gentile Pool Reuters Via Associated Press
Pope Francis is seen on huge monitors on Independence Mall as he speaks outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
A crowd fills the Independence Mall as Pope Francis speaks in front of Independence Hall, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 in Philadelphia.

Alex Brandon Associated Press
People react and a women in center wipes a tear as Pope Francis speaks in front of Independence Hall, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 in Philadelphia.

Alex Brandon Associated Press
The Rev. Jesse Jackson arrives at the Festival of Families Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia where Pope Francis will be speaking in his first U.S. visit.

Pablo Monsivais Associated Press Pool
Pope Francis kisses a baby as he rides in the pope mobile along Independence Mall as he arrives for his speech outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
Pope Francis delivers remarks at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. The pope spoke at Independence Hall on his first visit to the United States. (Elizabeth Robertson/The Philadelphia Inquirer, via AP, Pool)

Elizabeth Robertson Philadelphia Inquirer Pool