PHILADELPHIA >> As Shepherd One quietly glided into Atlantic Aviation at Philadelphia International Airport, Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia officially began.
And within moments of disembarking the chartered American Airline Boeing 777, the pontiff’s trademark compassion was on display as he placed a kiss upon a wheelchair-bound boy’s head.
Shepherd One with the papal entourage landed at about 9:45 a.m., taxied along the airport runway and stopped next to a staircase bearing the World Meeting of Families logo.
Flying at 14,000 feet, the pope took a 45-minute charter flight from JFK International Airport in New York City, where he had delivered speaches at the National September 11 Memorial and the United Nations. Earlier in the week, he spoke to a joint session of the U.S. Congress and met with President Barack Obama.
Pope Francis joins three other popes – Pope Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II and Pope Paul VI – to visit the United States. He is the second to come to Philadelphia. St. Pope John Paul II was the first in 1979.
The impetus behind his visit is to participate in the eighth World Meeting of Families, the largest in history, which has brought thousands to Philadelphia over the last four days to address the issues central to families.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio to Italian immigrants in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he is the only Jesuit to become pope and the first non-European elected to the position since the year 741. His enormous appeal stems from his humble demeanor and how he has embraced of the poor.
He picked his papal name to honor St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his work with the impoverished.
Under cloudy skies and in a brisk autumn air, the pope stepped off the plane with a smile.
After greeting a host of dignitaries, including Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, he paused to meet the Bowes family.
Richard Bowes, a retired Philadelphia police officer who was shot in the line of duty, was joined on the tarmac by his wife, Bernadette and their three children. The family presented Pope Francis with a bouquet of white flowers.
The pope then entered a black Fiat, and it appeared he was about to depart the airport with his motorcade when the vehicles suddenly stopped. Pope Francis exited his car.
He walked to 10-year-old Michael Keating, who is confined to a wheelchair with cerebral palsy, and blessed and kissed the boy’s forehead.
Ross Feinstein, spokesman for American Airlines, said this is not the first time the airline has transported a pope. St. Pope John Paul II, flew American’s predecessor, TWA.
Feinstein explained between American and TWA, the company has flown a pope seven times, including this flight.
“Obviously, we are very proud to transport the pope on his journey within the United States and back to Rome on Monday,” he said.
Feinstein said the captain on the journey back to Rome will deliver a special message from the Vatican to each countries’ airspace they enter.
But, there are quite a few events packed between now and Pope Francis’ departure.
Following his visit to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, the pontiff will speak on immigration and religious freedom at Independence Mall and will make an appearance tonight at the Festival of Families.
On Sunday morning, the pope will make a visit to the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in the Holmesburg section of Northeast Philadelphia before celebrating a Papal Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, which is anticipated to draw thousands from around the globe.
