Pope Francis arrived on United States soil on Tuesday and was personally received by President Barack Obama at the Andrews Air Force Base. Present during his arrival was Obama's family: First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters, Sasha and Malia, together with Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden. This is the first time the current pope has set foot in the United States, according to the New York Daily News.
"Ho, ho, hey, hey, welcome to the U.S.A," the crowd cheered for the pope. It later turned into, "We love Francis. Yes, we do. We love Francis. How about you?" The Pope arrived on a white Alitalia Plane, popularly known as the Shepherd One.
The Pope is known for his down-to-earth manner, but for his New York stay, he will be residing at a five-story, 11,000-square-foot townhouse which used to be the residence of the youngest mayor of New York, Hugh J. Grant. In 1975, the Grant family donated this $17-million townhouse to the Archdiocese of New York.
Unlike Pope Benedict's visit in 2008 where 52 people shared a meal prepared by cooks from Del Posto, Becco and Felidia, there were no arrangements or dinners planned. The pope only requested water and bananas in his bedroom, the New York Times reported.
Adrian Pallarols, a silversmith who has known the pope for over ten years, has handcrafted a special chalice for the pope's communion celebration in NYC. Then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio officiated his wedding and was the one to baptize his daughter. The one of a kind chalice will be made of silver adorned with antique jewelry from over 800 people who live all over the United States.
"I'm waiting to see a friend - somebody that I love a lot," Pallarols said, according to Fox 5 New York.
"When he holds the chalice with both hands, he will pray having the whole country on his hands, praying for them."
