[ cheers and applause ] [ cheers and applause ] be noted that the pope as he bids farewell is carrying his own bag. [ cheers and applause ] as the pope settles into his seat, hopefully a good one on that converted American Airlines 777. Lets chat about the popes visit and this leg, the washington, d. C. Leg. Here with me cnn senior washington correspondent jeff zeleny and father timothy kesicki. Father, ive been in this town for a few decades, i dont think ive ever seen anybody carry their own bag as they board a plane in a farewell ceremony such as this. But this is pope francis. Its very characteristic of his style. He carries his own bag. We saw him pay his own hotel bill right after he was elected pope. He likes to take care of himself. He even heard rumors in the house where he lives he goes around at night turning out lights because he wants to save electricity and participate in the greening of the environment. So hes a very selfsufficient individual. Lets talk about his visit when he ate among the homeless earlier today. He had spent the morning with leaders of the United States, some of whom were more moved to tears just in his presence. But i think its fair to say his face lit up among Homeless People, especially homeless children. Thats when he really you really saw his glow. I think he loves all people equally, but hes attracted to some people more. And he really loves to go to the poor, particularly to the young. We knew when he was archbishop of buenos aires he loved going into the slums. The same here. I think those who helped prepare this visit knew. You want to bring him to life, give him that opportunity. And he really shines. He chose the name francis. And francis has this great line, preach and when necessary use words. So he gave a very moving address to congress. And then he spoke at st. Patricks, but i think the real message he delivered was walking in and telling the homeless you are christ. And thats really a part of his faith. He sees the face of christ particularly in the poor and in the young. And jeff zeleny, there are not many people other than the pope or maybe hes the only one who could go before congress, tell four Supreme Court justices that the Death Penalty should end, tell Democratic Leaders of congress that life at all stages should be protected, tell republicans that immigration and Climate Change should be priorities and still get standing ovation after standing ovation. No question they walked away smiling. I think it was much different than a lot of members of congress expected. Particularly perhaps noncatholic members of congress who really were worried about i talked to a senior republican senator yesterday who said i dont know if i want to be lectured to. Talked to him afterward and he didnt feel lectured at all. If it was a scolding, it was a gentle, gentle scolding. More of a perhaps a lesson, more of like a grandfather maybe speaking to you. So i was struck by just the tone of his address. And it was written so carefully. Simply in many ways, but threaded the needle so carefully everyone could find something to like in there. When i was standing just outside the capital and to see the lineup of senators and representatives sort of sending him off as he was waving out the window of his fiat was something. Hundreds of hill staffers cheering and some of the very people who didnt agree with all his message were cheering him as well. It would be foolish for us to say this is going to change washington and the divisions in washington. But i think for a moment at least it made people think a little bit more. So on the margins it could change the politics of this town among some of these issues on immigration, et cetera. If youre just tuning in, pope francis has boarded his plane. Its nicknamed shepherd one here in the United States. Its a converted American Airlines boeing 777. It will be taking off for new yorks jfk airport. And were just watching as the crowd prepares to say goodbye to the pope as the plane takes off. Father kesicki, there are not many people in congress who agree with pope francis on everything. I can maybe think of a few moderate democrats, catholic democrats, maybe senator bob cay casey comes to mind from pennsylvania perhaps. But i think as jeff points out he really did a good job of deftly giving his position strongly but in a way that didnt seem to offend anyone. Well, he had a brilliant opening. When he identified himself as an american and then he said how happy he was to be in the home of the free and the land of the brave. People wondered is he coming here to scold us, to dress us down, to challenge us. And that Opening Statement said im one with you. And he would see the americas as one. I dont know that he would divide it as easily as north, central and south america. We are all of the americas, most of us immigrants. That was a tremendous opening. And i dont think it was a politically calculated message. He doesnt think that way. He doesnt necessarily know american politics or the partisan divisions. Hes picked up on some of them. He doesnt necessarily know them. Hes writing from his heart. Hes continuing a lot of church teaching. He references Pope Benedict in the address. And he references common themes that are characteristic of catholic social doctrine. But he hit also the themes that have been characteristic of his papacy. He continued with that today. I dont think he anticipated the applause. You could see even at times he talked over the applause as if to say let me get through this. On the left side of your screen is a rebroadcast from just moments ago when pope francis boarded the plane, one of the last to say goodbye to him secretary of state john kerry who is of course a practicing catholic. And found some reassuring words no doubt in much of what the pope had to say. The pope seemed to suggest, jeff zeleny, that he didnt mention cuba or iran by name, but he seemed to mention and suggest that past countries that the world has had trouble with, the path of negotiation should be followed. Jeff, ill get your thought after. Were going to squeeze in a quick break. Stay with us. Well be right back. Everyone needs protein, every day. There are more than 20,000 different proteins in the human body. They fuel our energy, support our metabolism, amplify our performance and recovery. Theyre essential for good health. Your bodys best source for protein . Gnc. Now get the worlds best protein formulas at an astounding price. Buy any gnc protein powder and get 1 half off. Everyone needs protein, every day. And now all gnc protein powders are buy 1, get 1 half off. Only at gnc. Big day . Ah, the usual. Moved some new cars. Hauled a bunch of steel. Kept the supermarket shelves stocked. Made sure everyone got their latest gadgets. Whats up for the next shift . Ah, nothing much. Just keeping the lights on. laugh nice. Doing the big things that move an economy. See you tomorrow, mac. See you tomorrow, sam. Just another day at norfolk southern. When youre not confident your companys data is secure, the possibility of a breach can quickly become the only thing you think about. Thats where at t can help. At at t we monitor our Network Traffic so we can see things others cant. Mitigating risks across your business. Leaving you free to focus on what matters most. Welcome back. We just wanted to squeeze in that ad so you wouldnt miss a second of when the popes plane actually takes off for new york. You are right now looking at live pictures from joint base andrews in maryland where the pope is set to take off in just a few minutes on the plane. Its really just an American Airlines boeing 777, but here with the pope on board in the United States its being referred to as shepherd one. Lets go right to cnns rosa flores. She is on shepherd one. Rosa, has the pope settled in . Give us an idea of what its like in there . Yeah, well, all of the journalists are in the back. Pope francis and his entourage are in the front of the aircraft. This papal plane is an American Airlines commercial plane. So there is no official shepherd one if you will because the vatican doesnt own any plane. So whenever the pope travels outside of rome initially its an alitalia flight from rome to whatever country hes traveling to. Now its switched over to an American Airlines flight. Now, for us to board the plane just to give you a little color, we went through a serious security with the secret service. You can imagine boarding a plane with pope francis. We were all sweeped before coming to the back of the plane boarding. And then of course we all tried to get a glimpse of pope francis sitting on the front of the plane. But there are some curtains. We can barely see pope francis hop in and of course settle in. Jake, i know youre probably wondering this because youre an awesome journalist, what does pope francis carry in his carryon bag . You know what we journalists carry, we carry a computer and everything we need to do our jobs. Pope francis im told carries an electric razor, a prayer book, a novel, a rosary and a toothbrush. Now, while hes on the plane ive learned from the holy see he enjoys reading, reflecting, praying, preparing for the places hell be visiting. Also visiting with journalists. Coming to the back of the plane chatting with journalists. Now, as we prepare to take off, think about this wherever the pope goes imagine, jake, be blessed on our way from joint base andrews all the way to jfk. So if youre youre going to be blessed by pope francis. Thats nice. Rosa flores, do we have any idea what novel hes reading . You said did you say hes reading a mystery novel of some sort . I dont know if its a mystery novel or not. I didnt get all of that information. Some of that information is not shared. But i wish i did. I wish i knew what novel hes reading because wouldnt that be a best seller at this point in time . But, you know, the pope cares about hygiene, he carries his toothbrush and his electric razor. Of course a prayer book which would be expected. I also read a few other books that he carries from his grandmother. By the way, jake, his grandmother has a beautiful name, her name is rosa. From everything ive read she is a special figure in his life. Always carries guidance from her. And weve also learned how pope francis speaks about women and women in the church and how important he says the world of women is in the church. But again, were on the papals plane. At this point in time its an American Airlines plane. Its a commercial flight. Theres nothing special about this plane other than pope francis is taking it from d. C. To new york to commute the threecity tour in the United States. Rosa, give us an idea of what its like traveling on shepherd one, the plane the vatican has chartered or whomever has charted for the popes travel. First of all how crowded is the plane right now . And second of all is it the same flight attendants, same meal, same type of thing anybody would have if they flew from d. C. To new york . Yeah, its less crowded because its not commercial, but we do get a menu even though were in economy. And the menu today has the code of arms of pope francis. It says pope francis United States of America September 2015. Here we go. Were going to have mediterranean olives and some premium chocolates and our choice of beverage. You know, among other things as soon as we get on the plane we get some water, something for the journalists that have been running around. But about kind of traveling with the pope its a lot of Early Mornings. We have this Early Morning call every morning, sometimes 4 15 in the morning, 5 15 in the morning. So were all up very early getting prepared for the day, getting more about whats going to happen. But as we taxi on this runway, new york better prepare for pope francis visit, the pontiffs first visit to the United States, his first visit to new york. Before congress and in new york of course he will be speaking before the u. N. , a much anticipated speech as you know, jake. Probably will speak about the refugee crisis and putting nations in the hot seats quite frankly when it comes to helping refugees. So well see. But again, were taxiing down the runway at this point in time. Pope francis is probably, i dont know, a football field away for sure from where im sitting and where all the journalists are sitting. Hes with his entourage. We work to the very last moment. Rosa flores, i dont want to get you in trouble with the flight attendants, are they telling you to turn off your phone as you sit there on frontier one with the pope . No, actually theyve been very, very nice. The flight attendants and the American Airline flight attendants know were just trying to tell the story of pope francis visit to cuba and the United States. So theyre very nice. They know were just trying to do our jobs and they try to cooperate with us as much as possible. Rosa flores on trip of a lifetime following the pope as he travels throughout the United States. She was there in cuba with the pontiff. Now she is on frontier one which is the name of the boeing 777, the American Airlines charter that pope francis is taking from andrews air base, joint base andrews to jfk airport in new york city. Let me bring jeff zeleny back to finish the question i had asked, which jeff, the pope as we were talking about in his address to congress had some rather clear positions to take even if he took them in a rather nice way. For instance in referencing i was assuming he was talking about the cuba diplomatic relations he helped broker or with iran he said efforts in recent months to help historic differences led to painful episodes of past this requires courage which is not the same as irresponsibility. Thats a very strong position to take standing in front of a Republican Congress that is overwhelmingly opposed to the iran deal and to the new diplomatic relations with cuba. Which i assume is what the pope was talking about. I think to say that the speech was a soft speech i think is the incorrect interpretation. I think it was soft in tone, but i think the speech is very heavy in meaning. And thats a great example you just pointed out. I mean, we know that the vatican, that this pope was central to the discussions of the diplomatic opening between the United States and cuba. Weve known that now ever since that happened weve seen some of the president s top advisors were holding these meetings like ben rhodes, his National Security advisor and other holding meets in the vatican. I think it was interesting that pope francis did not specifically use the word cuba or call for an end to the embargo. Because hes not here. He knows that his position is not here to lobby these members specifically. And that would not have been received well. So i think it takes a couple readings of the speech actually to really see how heavily freighted with meaning it is. But that is certainly one point of that. But republicans do not seem to mind that. They certainly knew his position going in to this. No surprises about where the pope stands on most anything. Thats true. If youre just tuning in pope francis has boarded his American Airlines charter a boeing 777 nicknamed shepherd one. Shepherd one, as it takes the pope i guess he changed planes here in washington, d. C. , from washington, d. C. To new york city. And it will take him in the coming days to philadelphia. Were joined here by father timothy kesicki, president of the jesuit conference. Father, give us a preview of whats next. Whats the big agenda item in new york city . Obviously hes going to st. Patricks cathedral today. Hopefully hes getting some rest tonight. Hes got to be jet lagged. Im hoping he gets some sleep on the plane. And tomorrow really the biggest event thats going to happen in new york is address to the United Nations, his mass at Madison Square garden. Hes going to have the opportunity to go to harlem and to visit a school because they like to have that direct connection with ministry. But the talk with the United Nations is going to be another significant address. Now, were used to these addresses to the United Nations, Pope Benedict xvi has addressed the United Nations, st. John paul ii has addressed United Nations. But if you remember the first pope to ever address the u. N. Was pope paul vi in 1965. It was an historic address Just Like Congress was today because that was in the throes of the cold war and everybody wondered what the pope was going to say. Was he in a sense going to get in the face of the soviet union to protect catholics. And instead really he said a benchmark. He said war no more. He gave a very profound statement on peace. And that message has lived on. While weve paid a lot of attention to congress, were eager to see what he says to the United Nations and what he invites the Global Community to do. If youre just joining us, pope francis plane nicknamed shepherd one is about to take off from joint base andrews for new york city. It was very historic, father, as you were just talking as his address to congress. And i think as weve been discussing whats remarkable is his ability to say so many things that people in the chamber disagreed with and yet offend none of them. Lets take a moment here and watch as the popes plane, shepherd one, takes off. We dont anticipate it will take long for the pope to get to new york. Its a fairly short flight. I doubt hes going to be put in a holding pattern. It is the pope. Hell probably land within the hour of the show. There are crowds already gathering. Were going to take a very quick break and then more on this historic visit by pope francis after this quick break. Welcome back to the lead. Just moments ago this was the scene at joint base andrews with the popes plane, shepherd one, taking off. His holiness destined for new york city. Before jetting out of town the pontiff had quite a lot to say here in washington, d. C. We know hes going to be headed towards st. Patricks cathedral when he arrives in new york, new york. Lets go to cnn chief Political Correspondent dana bash to get some temperature taking on the response to what the pope had to say here in washington, d. C. Dana, the pope touched on many issues in his address to congress this morning. Many of them issues democrats disagreed with him on, republicans disagreed with him on. How well do you think the pope did in melting away the natural cynicism of politicians and even some washington reporters up there on capitol hill . Surprisingly well. All of the above, jake. The pope really had an uncanny ability to turn his phrases in such a way that it allowed people to think that he was speaking to them and about their causes even in many instances when they disagreed. Mr. Speaker, the pope of the holy see. Words never before uttered in history to introduce a figure who came to prod this partisan institution to Work Together for a better future. Renew spirit of fraternity and solidarity. Cooperate for the common good. Citing beloved american figures like Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther king, pope francis reminded lawmakers of the countrys past and its promise. Of immigrants knowing that so many of you are also descendants of it is not what we want for our children. Francis delivered his signature caution about capitalism and warnings about Climate Change that made some republicans uncomfortable. Environmental deterioration caused by human activity. Liberals like president ial hopeful Bernie Sanders were ecstatic. The issue of impoverty, the issue of environmental degradation, immigration, the Death Penalty, the need to do everything we can to create a Peaceful World and i think he did it in a very dignified nonpartisan kind of way. Still, the pope mentioned Church Stance republicans historically agree with like abortion. To protect and defend human life at every stage of its development. Francis, a student of politics, had the usually unruly chamber hooked from the start with this. In the land of the free and the home of the brave. That even brought four Supreme Court justices who almost never clap during political addresses to their feet. In fact, even catholics like senator mike rounds who pressed colleagues to treat the speech like a sermon, no clapping, couldnt help themselves. We found ourselves saying, look, were agreeing with what the pontiff is saying. And so we found ourselves standing up and sitting down more than what we had anticipated. Your holiness, welcome. The pope invited by House Speaker john boehner, a catholic been trying to get a pope to congress for 20 years, the man known for being emotional couldnt hold back his tears. God bless america. Especially on his own capitol balcony with the pope looking down at thousands below. Now, there were a fair number of republicans going in to this address who were a little bit concerned, worried that there would be a scolding from the pope on issues that hes been very outspoken about, like Climate Change, like immigration. But even those republicans came out. Many of them saying that they were pleased at the way the pope gave his address. They said that they felt he gave a message of promise and of unity. And even though clearly there were politics involved, they didnt feel like they were hit over the head with it. It was, i think, all in all a pretty successful visit for the pope even in a very jaded as you said very partisan place, jake. Dana bash on capitol hill. Thanks. Were waiting for the pope to land in new york. He took off just minutes ago. When he touches down adoring worshippers will be waiting for him. This is the scene right now at st. Patricks cathedral on fifth avenue. When we come back from the break were going to talk to one of those House Republican leaders whos catholic to see what he thought of the popes remarks. Stay with us. Well be right back. Everyone needs protein, every day. There are more than 20,000 different proteins in the human body. They fuel our energy, support our metabolism, amplify our performance and recovery. Theyre essential for good health. Your bodys best source for protein . 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Tell your doctor if youve been to areas where certain fungal infections are common, and if youve had tb, hepatitis b, are prone to infections, or have flulike symptoms or sores. Dont start humira if you have an infection. Talk to your doctor and visit humira. Com this is humira at work. Welcome back to the lead. Youre looking at shots from new york city. Thats the skyline up top left. You got st. Patricks cathedral on the right side of the screen. New yorkers eager, excited lining fifth avenue in anticipation of the popes trek to gotham when the pope does land at jfk which we expect soon he will be met there by new york city mayor bill de blasio and Cardinal Dolan and then helicopter into the heart of manhattan. All this after the pope talked to congress today. Speaking of Congress Almost onethird of the 535 members of the u. S. Congress are catholic. Many are in powerful positions including the republican speaker and the democratic leader of the house. Lets talk to Republican Congressman former Vice President ial nominee chairman of the house ways and means committee, and catholic, boy, thats a whole menu there. Long i guess so. Paul ryan. Congressman, mr. Chairman, thank you so much for joining me. You bet ya. So the pope made his views clear on a number of issues today. Theres something for everyone to like, everyone to not like. Lets talk about immigration though because i know thats a thorny issue for your party. The pope said speaking of people who, quote, travel north in search of a better life for themselves and for their loved ones, we must not be taken aback by their numbers but rather view them as persons seeing their faces and listening to their stories try to respond as best we can to their situation. How do you swear that with what im sure you hear all the time as the consensus view of House Republicans that maybe doesnt reflect that . I wouldnt say that. I wouldnt say it doesnt reflect that. Respecting the rule of law, having a Legal Immigration system that works and fixing a broken system, i think thats consistent with those things. And being respectful of people. Thats all entirely consistent. So look, jake, i dont think one should look at his speech as sort of a laundry list of policies, some democrats like, some republicans like. Thats not what this speech was. This speech was a pastoral speech. This was the voice of st. Peter speaking to not Just Congress but to all americans about important principles. The pope also talked about protecting and defending human life at every stage. Congressional leaders have a big decision coming up on how hard to force this issue of defunding planned parenthood. Where are you on this debate . Should a confrontation be forced to a point a Government Shutdown might happen . Well, i dont think thats the right strategy. I dont think that actually helps us deal with planned parenthood, which i do think should be defunded. I think its vial, its barbaric what theyve done. I think the more americans that see just the grotesqueness of their procedures the more they would agree they dont want their hard working taxpayers dollars going to a fund like that. I think there are other ways of addressing this. We intend to put on the president s desk, i believe, legislation. And we can do that through our budget process. So i think there are better ways in getting at this issue defunding this barbaric process and this group that does this then involving the shutdown issue. So i think we can hopefully avoid that. I dont think its the right strategy, but i think we can do Better Things to get at this issue. I hope more americans watch these videos so they can see what kind of group their taxpayer dollars are going to. I dont need to tell you a lot of conservative republicans think this is waving a white flag. This is the Congressional Republican leadership not standing up for the values that conservatives hold dear. Well, i want to make sure that we win. I want to make sure that we succeed in achieving our goals. And so i want to choose a strategy that has a better guarantee of us actually achieving our goals. Unfortunately what stands between us is the constitution. For a bill to become law like unfunding something, the president has to sign that bill into law. If he chooses not to sign that bill into law, then you have to override a veto, we dont have 60 votes in the senate let alone 67. So believe me i share the frustration with this organization. But as republicans and conservatives i think we ought to be honest with people about what we can actually achieve given the constitutional constraints we have, how we can best bring accountability to the federal government to groups like planned parenthood and accountability to this Administration Given the constitution. And just be candid and try and find a strategy that has the best chance of success. I want to actually achieve the goal not the issue but the goal of stopping groups like this from getting taxpayer dollars. Congressman paul ryan, thank you so much. You bet, jake. Take care. Were still waiting for the popes arrive in new york city. Were expecting that to happen in just a few minutes. New yorkers are lining up in the streets. Were going to take a very quick break. Stay with us. Well be right back. Nothing artificial. Just real roasted turkey. Salt. Pepper. Carved thick. Thats the right way to make a good turkey sandwich. The right way to eat it . Is however you eat it. Panera. Food as it should be. Where their electricity comes from. They flip the switch and the light comes on. Its our job to make sure that it does. Using natural gas this power plant can produce enough energy for about 600,000 homes. Generating electricity thats cleaner and reliable, with fewer emissions it matters. Welcome back to the lead. Im jake tapper. On the left side of your screen are images from a few minutes ago when the pope took off leaving washington, d. C. At joint base andrews. Taking off for jfk airport, which is the right side of the screen. We are expecting the pope to land any minute. A small delegation will greet him there. Lets bring in cnns chief National Security correspondent jim schutto. Jim, tell us what happens after the popes plane lands. Jake, hes going to get a welcome befitting this pope. Hes going to be greeted by five Young Students from Catholic Schools in the new york area. Youll remember when he was addressing the crowd outside the capitol this morning he said that the ninos as he said are the most important thing. He loves to connect with children. Those children are going to give him a book of prayers that they compiled. That coming from 86 different schools here in the new york area and brooklyn and in queens. Also crucial in that crowd greeting him there are going to be members of a nursing home taken care of by the Catholic Church as well as Homeless People taken care of. Again, thats part of his mission. Thats really his emphasis is getting the church both the priests and the lay people out to help those in need. And some of those in need are going to be there on that tarmac when he lands at jfk airport. But also this is a welcome befitting the city of new york. Theres going to be a High School Band from a local high school, what song is it going to play, jake . Its going to play new york, new york. Its also going to play city of god. You cant land in new york city without hearing new york, new york. Its the kind of welcome new york wants to give this pope. I think just the kind of welcome that fits him and fits his message and fits his profile during this trip. Jim schutto in new york. You see people those are live images from new york city. People lining the streets in eager anticipation. The pope headed for st. Patricks cathedral. Lets go to st. Patricks cathedral where the pope is headed. Hes going to be joined there by the governor, mr. Cuomo. Wlook whos here erin burnett freshly back from maternity leave. You look great. Set the scene from your vantage point. Jake, its a great day to be back. Its a gorgeous day and my baby girl will be baptized catholic. Like many catholics ive become warmer toward the church because of this pope. Youre feeling that here on the streets. Obviously this church right now, st. Patricks cathedral, jake, is gleaming white. I havent seen it like that in years. And behind me you can see some of the people who actually worked on all of the renovations, almost 200 million of renovations. They just finished them. I was here a couple months ago. It was not ready at all and theyre going to be here to greet the pope which softball ve is obviously very special. Hes going to be delivering an evening prayer service. Not a full mass but about 3,500 members of the clergy so nuns, bishops, priests, deacons, thats who will hear the pope speak tonight. But its a festive atmosphere. There are so many kids, jim just talking about that. I saw a group of schoolgirls and the person leading them said take a lot of pictures and put them on your social media and they were so earnest, we will, we will. Its a festive atmosphere. Erin, dont go anywhere. Were going to take a quick break. Pope francis about to land for the first time in new york city. Well be right back after this. Nothing artificial. Just real roasted turkey. Carved thick. Thats the right way to make a good turkey sandwich. The right way to eat it . Is however you eat it. Panera. Food as it should be. Welcome back to the lead. The streets of new york city already lined with worshippers waiting to greet the pope. Right now what youre hearing and seeing is jfk airport where the pope is due to land any minute now. After he lands he will helicopter into manhattan. Lets go back to st. Patricks cathedral in new york. Thats where the pope is headed for evening prayers and where we find erin burnett and john berman. Erin, what are we expecting this evening . So its a service, its not an actual mass. John and i were just talking about what that means. That means there will be songs, there will be hymns, there will be a homily. So of course the big question is what the pope will talk about, will he take on these politically charged issues. And the audience will be members of the clergy, but its not a full mass. No, this is a religious service for people who are part of the clergy who are are professionals, priests, nuns, deacons, some 3,000 plus of them. But its a message when he gets to the city meets with the local clergy first. Cardinal Timothy Dolan will be here. Thats who hell be speaking to. When he spoke yesterday in washington he addressed the clergy and raised some eyebrows. When he praised them for their courage dealing with the sex abuse scandal referring to it somewhat vaguely but clear thats what he was saying and people were offended he was talking about the clergy courage and not necessarily the suffering of the victims. The big question is whether or not that will come up tonight. Jake, as john and i were just standing here during a commercial break a little fiat drove by. It looked like a dry run. It had the license plate for vatican city. We dont know exactly what it was doing, but it was kind of a special moment. We think it was positioning for the departure for when he leaves here because when he arrives hell be traveling six blocks in the pope mobile. Open air will meet the people gathered on the side of the streets here. Really the first chance for them to meet the pope or see the pope in person. Yes. And they are, jake, as i said its a palpable feeling of joy and enthusiasm. Its rare you feel that in new york. Yeah, absolutely. I thought this is the first time i felt it so universally. Especially when theres so much traffic because theyve shut down all the streets. But ive only seen smiles. Its true. They are lining the streets and central park is almost completely shut. They have eightfoot barriers everywhere, jake. And yet in the park yesterday as it was basically shut down people were smiling and friendly. Absolutely. I couldnt believe it i was in there with a stroller thinking wow. 80,000 people will be in that park tomorrow evening, it will be during your show largely when hes driving through the park waving and meeting people right there. Right now that and central park the two chances average everyday new yorkers will get a chance to interact with this pope. Pretty stunning. Back to you, jake. The pope in addition to speaking at st. Patricks this evening and addressing the United Nations will also visit a School Tomorrow with children of immigrants talking about the issue of immigration. Thats another focus of the popes as he makes this journey. Thats it for the lead today. Im jake tapper. Im turning you over to wolf blitzer in the situation room who will continue our live coverage of pope francis trip to the United States. And in minute now to new york city. Wolf. Happening now, breaking news. Pope in new york. Pope francis starting a second leg of his historic trip to the United States. Arriving shortly in the city home to one of the countrys largest catholic populations. How will the popes focus shift on this part of the trip . Francis mania. Huge crowds already forming here in new york city waiting to catch a glimpse of the pope tonight. He has major events scheduled tomorrow all across town. Is new york city ready for this logistical nightmare . And lecturing lawmakers, the pope touches on controversial issues in his unprecedented address to Congress Taking positions popar