POPE-OBAMA
Pope Francis about to welcome big US crowds
WASHINGTON (AP) β Pope Francis is no stranger to crowds. But he’ll soon be immersed in his first big ones on U.S. soil.
Francis opened his first trip to the U.S. on Tuesday with an arrival ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base, before settling in for the night at the Vatican’s diplomatic mission in Washington.
On Wednesday, he’ll be at the White House for a morning ceremony on the South Lawn, to which some 15,000 people have been invited. He’ll also have a meeting with President Barack Obama, who greeted him upon landing at Andrews.
Then it’s a popemobile parade by the National Mall and prayers with several hundred bishops at St. Matthew’s Cathedral. About 30,000 people are expected at a late afternoon mass with Francis at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
On Thursday the pope is addressing Congress and visiting with Catholic charities before he leaves for New York and Philadelphia.
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315-c-21-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)-“and gay marriage”-AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports Obama is said to be enthusiastic about this visit. (22 Sep 2015)
< 318-a-14-(Josh Earnest, White House press secretary, at news conference)-“hold in common”-White House press secretary Josh Earnest says today’s meeting is not a political one. (22 Sep 2015) < 312-w-36-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent, with President Barack Obama)–President Obama is welcoming Pope Francis to the White House today at the start of the pontiff’s first full day in America. AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports. ((Opens with sound)) (22 Sep 2015) < 313-w-36-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent, with President Barack Obama)–The White House is portraying today’s meeting between President Obama and Pope Francis as non-political. (22 Sep 2015) < 314-c-23-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)-“the Oval Office”-AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports the president’s readied a big welcome for the pope on the White House South Lawn. (22 Sep 2015) < POPE-OBAMA Papal visit begins with presidential welcome WASHINGTON (AP) β For the first time in his presidency, Barack Obama has greeted a visiting dignitary at the point of touchdown β Andrews Air Force Base. The president and his family were at the foot of the airplane stairs at Andrews Tuesday afternoon to welcome Pope Francis on his first visit to the U.S. Presidents usually have important visitors come to them, at the White House. But for the pope’s predecessor, Benedict XVI, President George W. Bush and Laura Bush travelled to the air force base in Maryland to greet him. Francis then climbed into a small Fiat that brought him to the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican’s diplomatic mission in the heart of Washington. The pope spent a few minutes greeting onlookers outside the nunciature before heading inside. He’ll spend the night there before visiting the White House Wednesday morning. Some 15,000 people have been invited to the arrival ceremony on the South Lawn. Sound: 254-c-19-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)-“Creed, he’s ready”-AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports that on the way to Washington from Cuba, Francis defended himself against GOP criticism of his economic views. (22 Sep 2015) < 253-c-20-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)-“President Biden lives”-AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports the pope is settling in for his stay in Washington. (22 Sep 2015) < 255-c-17-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)-“area correctional facility”-AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports the pontiff is already voicing controversial views about U.S. sentencing rules. (22 Sep 2015) < 252-v-37-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent)–Pope Francis has arrived in Washington to begin his first-ever U.S. visit. AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports. ((Opens with sound)) (22 Sep 2015) < 238-r-12-(Crowd chanting and cheering, as Pope Francis passes by with President Barack Obama)–Sound of crowd chanting and cheering as Pope Francis passes by with President Obama. (22 Sep 2015) < POPE-WASHINGTON MASS Pope to celebrate contributions of Hispanics at Mass in DC WASHINGTON (AP) β In Washington this afternoon, the first pope from the Americas will canonize a Spanish missionary who brought the Catholic faith to California. Pope Francis will celebrate a sainthood Mass for Junipero Serra (yoo-NIHP’-ayr-oh SAYR’-ah) in Spanish on the east portico of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Mass is being held outdoors to accommodate 25,000 invited guests. Serra established the first Catholic missions in California in the 18th Century. He is extolled by the Vatican as a great evangelizer and protector of Native Americans, but is denounced by some tribal officials as a destroyer of indigenous culture who beat converts if they tried to escape. Valentin Lopez, chairman of the Amah Mutsun tribe, said Tuesday that his tribe will never accept Serra’s sainthood. The canonization comes as illegal immigration has become a hot political issue, while also making the U.S. Catholic church more Hispanic. Sound: 324-a-05-(Valentin Lopez, chairman of the Amah Mutsun Native American tribe, at news conference)-“would be beaten”-Valentin Lopez, chairman of the Amah Mutsun tribe, says Junipero Serra was a harsh oppressor of Native American converts. ((Editors: Junipero Serra is pronounced (yoo-NIHP’-ayr-oh SAYR’-ah)) (22 Sep 2015) < 322-a-04-(Valentin Lopez, chairman of the Amah Mutsun Native American tribe, at news conference)-“canonization of Serra”-Valentin Lopez, chairman of the Amah Mutsun tribe, says Junipero Serra should not be a Roman Catholic saint. ((Editors: Junipero Serra is pronounced (yoo-NIHP’-ayr-oh SAYR’-ah))((cut used in wrap)) (22 Sep 2015) < 323-a-10-(Valentin Lopez, chairman of the Amah Mutsun Native American tribe, at news conference)-“shocked and disappointed”-Valentin Lopez, chairman of the Amah Mutsun tribe, says Native Americans don’t revere the 18th century Spanish missionary. (22 Sep 2015) < 321-w-34-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Valentin Lopez, chairman of the Amah Mutsun Native American tribe)–In Washington this afternoon, the first pope from the Americas will canonize a Spanish missionary who brought the Catholic faith to California. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (22 Sep 2015) < SERRA SAINTHOOD-PROTESTS Pope’s apology doesn’t change opinions on canonization WASHINGTON (AP) β Pope Francis’ apology in July for the Catholic Church’s crimes against indigenous peoples has not softened opposition among some California tribes to the Mass Francis will hold today to canonize 18th-century Franciscan missionary Junipero Serra (yoo-NIHP’-ayr-oh SAYR’-ah). Hours before Francis’ arrival in Washington Tuesday, a tribal leader denounced Serra as a harsh and patronizing oppressor who should not be named a saint. Serra introduced Christianity and established settlements as he marched north with Spanish conquistadores through the land that would become California. In 1769, he established his first mission in San Diego. He would go on to found numerous additional missions, including San Francisco. The missions taught religion and farming. But many Native Americans say the missions cut their ancestors off from their traditional languages and cultures, enslaved those who converted to Christianity and brought disease that led to the mass extermination of Indian populations. The Vatican has gone on the offensive to present Serra more positively as someone who protected Native Americans from colonial officials. POPE-YOM KIPPUR Pope Francis’ US arrival coincides with Yom Kippur NEW YORK (AP) β Pope Francis’ first trip to the U.S. coincides with one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar: Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. The 24-hour holiday began at sundown Tuesday, just hours after Francis’ arrival in Washington. At an evening news conference, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo expressed the church’s blessings as the Jewish community observes Yom Kippur. Some Jewish leaders whose religious obligations kept them from accepting invitations to Wednesday’s White House reception will instead attend an interfaith event Friday morning with the pontiff in New York. Sound: 278-a-11-(Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston, at news conference)-“to bless them”-Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston, extends the church’s best wishes to Jews observing their holiest day. ((longer version of cut used in wrap)) (22 Sep 2015) < 277-w-32-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston)–Pope Francis’ first trip to the U.S. coincides with one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar: Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (22 Sep 2015) < POPE-PHILADELPHIA-WORLD MEETING Church’s conference on families spurring Francis’ US trip PHILADELPHIA (AP) β Pope Francis’ three-city tour of the U.S. will conclude this weekend in Philadelphia where he’ll take part in the church’s World Meeting of Families. Stops in Washington and New York were added after Francis put the triennial, Vatican-sponsored conference on his agenda. It opened Tuesday. Organizers describe the conference that blends prayer, religious instruction and faith-themed lectures as the world’s largest gathering of Catholic families. With more than 18,000 people signed up, this year’s will be the most attended of the eight World Meetings. St. John Paul II conceived the event in 1992 to explore family bonds and the role of families in society. The first one was held two years later. Francis arrives Saturday in Philadelphia. His packed schedule includes the World Meeting’s closing concert and an outdoor Mass. POPE-PHILADELPHIA-WEATHER Forecast: Rain could dampen Francis’ Philadelphia Mass PHILADELPHIA (AP) β Forecasters say a storm moving up the Atlantic coast this week could dampen Pope Francis’ outdoor Mass in Philadelphia. The National Weather Service says clouds will blanket the region all weekend, with a chance of showers beginning Sunday morning. Organizers expect hundreds of thousands of people for a festival and concert featuring Francis on Saturday and his Mass on Sunday. About 40,000 people are ticketed for his Saturday speech on immigration and religious freedom at Independence Mall. Forecasters say the storm that’s expected to soak Virginia and Delaware on Friday could bring wind-driven rain to Philadelphia on Sunday. Organizers say the Mass will take place, rain or shine. They recommend that people bring ponchos or other rain gear. The outdoor venues will be evacuated if thunderstorms develop. FIGHTS AT FUNERAL Police: Fights break out at funeral of former gang member COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) β Police in central Ohio say several large fights broke out at the funeral of a man with known gang ties, leading to a response by about 100 officers. The Columbus Dispatch reports that police were called Monday to the area around First English Lutheran Church in Columbus. A funeral for 28-year-old Dametrious Edwards was being held there. Edwards had been found dead in a basement Sept. 13. Police haven’t said how he died. Sgt. Rich Weiner says the fights broke out behind the church, and pepper spray was used to break up the melee. No shots were fired and no officers were hurt. Weiner says it’s not unusual for gang-related funerals to draw attention from rivals because gang members are expected to be among the mourners. OBIT-RICHARD G SCOTT Top-ranking Mormon leader Richard G. Scott dies at 86 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) β A top-ranking Mormon leader, 86-year-old Richard G. Scott, has died from natural causes. Church officials said in a statement that Scott died Tuesday at his home in Salt Lake City. Scott was hospitalized in April with gastrointestinal bleeding. He recovered from that, but church officials announced in May that Scott was experiencing fading memory because of his age. Scott was born in Pocatello, Idaho, and had a successful career as a nuclear engineer. He was chosen in 1988 as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a high-level governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is the third top Mormon leader to die recently. Quorum president Boyd K. Packer and quorum member L. Tom Perry also died this year. SAUDI-HAJJ More than 2 million Muslims in Saudi start hajj pilgrimage MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) β More than 2 million Muslims have started the first rites of the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, which draws people from around the world to the holy city of Mecca to perform a series of rituals and prayers aimed at erasing their sins. Islam requires all able-bodied Muslims to perform the hajj at least once. It is said to trace the steps of the Prophets Abraham, Ishmael and Muhammad. In Mecca, pilgrims circle the cube-shaped Kaaba counterclockwise seven times and re-enact the journey of Abraham’s wife, Hagar, who Muslims believe ran between two hills searching for water for her dying son. Tradition holds that God then brought forth a spring that runs to this day, and Muslims drink from it during the hajj. Since arriving in Mecca, hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims have chanted the Arabic words that mean, “Here I am, God, answering your call. Here I am.”
