WASHINGTON (AP) — Plunging headlong into the issues of the day, Pope Francis opened his visit to the United States with a strong call Wednesday for action to combat climate change, calling it a problem that "can no longer be left to a future generation." President Barack Obama, in turn, hailed the pontiff as a moral force who is "shaking us out of our complacency" with reminders to care for the poor and the planet.
The White House mustered all the pageantry it had to offer as the pope arrived before an adoring crowd of thousands and a nation that seemingly cannot get enough of the humble pontiff who is rejuvenating American Catholicism while giving heartburn to some of its conservatives.
Cheering crowds, with some people holding out babies for blessings, jammed a parade route along Constitution Avenue as Francis later made a leisurely loop around the streets near the White House in his open-sided popemobile — a white Jeep — for his first direct encounter with the American public.
Speaking in a soft voice and halting English at the White House, Francis delivered a firm message against those who doubt the science of climate change, saying that the warming planet "demands on our part a serious and responsible recognition" of what awaits today's children.
It was a message sure to please the Obama White House, and liberals in general. But the pope had something for conservatives, too, with a pointed call to protect religious liberties — "one of America's most precious possessions."
"All are called to be vigilant,' he said, "to preserve and defend that freedom from everything that would threaten or compromise it."
Pope Francis boards his plane as he prepares to depart Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, on his way back to Rome.
A father and a son pray after receiving the communion as Pope Francis celebrates mass at the Festival of Families Sunday mass along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Sunday.
Pope Francis touches the head of a little girl as families approach him on stage as he celebrates his final mass of his visit to the United States at the Festival of Families on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.
Policemen stand guard behind the altar as Pope Francis celebrates his final mass of his visit to the United States at the Festival of Families on Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sunday in Philadelphia.
Pope Francis stops to kiss an unidentified child as he parades in the pope mobile on his way to celebrate Sunday Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sunday in Philadelphia.
Pope Francis shakes hands with an inmate as he meets with prisoners at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015.
A family from Trenton, N.J., originally from Ecuador, walks over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge ahead of a Sunday Mass to be delivered by Pope Francis, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia.
A nun from The Sisters of Life, of New York City, is inspected at a security checkpoint as she arrives for a Mass to be celebrated by Pope Francis, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia. Pope Francis will end the final day of his three-city U.S. tour with the Mass on Philadelphia's grandest boulevard, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Doug and Julie Bauman, teachers at St. Barnabas Catholic School in Indianapolis, wear their homemade Papal Mitres as they and others fill Benjamin Franklin Parkway before Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015.
Pope Francis touches a woman in a wheelchair after addressing a gathering in Saint Martin's Chapel at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Wynnewood, Pa.
Pope Francis greets seminarians as he walks the loggia to his address to the Bishops at St. Martin of Tours Chapel at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Wynnewood, Pa.
Pope Francis poses with seminarians on the steps of St. Martin of Tours Chapel following his address to the Bishops at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Wynnewwod, Pa. At left is Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia. At right is Rev. Timothy Senior, rector of St. Charles and Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia.
Seven-year-old Leyla Drees of Stewartville, Minn., clings to her Pope Francis doll while watching the pope's speech on immigration on a giant monitor at JFK Plaza in Philadelphia on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Hundreds of thousands of Roman Catholics made the pilgrimage to Philadelphia to see Pope Francis on the last leg of his first-ever visit to the United States, where they hoped to catch a glimpse of the popular pontiff at some point during his packed schedule.
A tear runs down the face of Milagros Orengo of Egg Harbor, N.J., a native of the Dominican Republic, as she prays behind a barricade at Independence Mall in Philadelphia, as a Mass with Pope Francis at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is projected on a large screen, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015.
Pope Francis, center, processes toward the altar at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul to start a Mass, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia.
Attendees, waiting hours to hear Pope Francis speak at Independence Hall later in the day, watch on large screens as he celebrates Mass at a nearby cathedral in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 26, 2015.
Pilgrims wave cardboard cutouts of Pope Francis as they gather outside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, ahead of the papal Mass this morning in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 26, 2015.
Nuns from the Monastery of the Precious Blood in Brooklyn, N.Y., are filled with anticipation as they spot the helicopter carrying Pope Francis to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sept. 26, 2015, in New York City. The pope is two-thirds of the way through a six-day visit to the U.S., with stops in Washington, New York City and Philadelphia.
People pray together as they crowd into Independence Mall ahead of Pope Francis' speech outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015.
In this photo provided by World Meeting of Families, Pope Francis kisses and blesses Michael Keating, 10, of Elverson, Pa., after arriving in Philadelphia and exiting his car when he saw the boy, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, at Philadelphia International Airport. Keating has cerebral palsy and is the son of Chuck Keating, director of the Bishop Shanahan High School band, which performed at the pope's airport arrival.
A crucifix hangs above members of the clergy who watch as Pope Francis, not shown, celebrates Mass at Madison Square Garden, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015 New York.
Nuns watch as Pope Francis celebrates high Mass at Madison Square Garden, Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, in New York. The Garden is home to the New York Knicks basketball team, which hangs banners in honor of former players.
People wait for Pope Francis to pass through Central Park on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, in New York. The pope is on a six-day visit to the U.S., with stops in Washington, New York City and Philadelphia.
Pope Francis arrives to address the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015 at United Nations headquarters in New York.
Pope Francis engages well wishes, including Gerard Gubatan of Brooklyn, center left, after arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport Thursday, September 24, 2015, in New York.
Pope Francis dolls are offered for sale at a 7-Eleven store in the Times Square area of New York Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. Souvenirs are popping up all over the city to mark the pope's visit to New York on Sept. 24 and 25.
Nuns pass through a security checkpoint as they arrive to hear Pope Francis lead an evening prayer service at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York.
The U.S. and Vatican flags fly from the plane being readied for Pope Francis ahead of his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to New York after visiting Washington, where he spoke to a joint session of Congress, on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015.
Pope Francis bids farewell to Secretary of State John Kerry as he departs from Washington, DC, en route to New York City on September 24, 2015, in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. The Pope is on a six-day trip to the U.S., with stops in Washington, New York City and Philadelphia.
Pope Francis greets parishioners, immigrants and clients of Catholic Charities as he arrives at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Washington on September 24, 2015.
Pope Francis waves, flanked by Vice President Joe Biden (left) and House Speaker John Boehner (right), on a balcony after speaking at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Sept. 24, 2015.
Pope Francis (center) looks at the crowd from the Speaker's Balcony after concluding his addresses before a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington on Sept. 24, 2015.
People pack the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol to see Pope Francis appear on the Speaker's balcony before his speech to Congress in Washington on Sept. 24 2015.
Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress with with Vice President Joe Biden (left) and Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 24, 2015 in Washington. Pope Francis is the first pope to address a joint meeting of Congress and will finish his tour of Washington later Thursday before traveling to New York.
Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, making history as the first pontiff to do so.
Pope Francis pauses in front of a sculpture of Spanish-born Franciscan Friar Junipero Serra in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Sept. 24, 2015.
Congressional staffers and guests strain to view and photograph the departure of Pope Francis in his Fiat 500L on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, after his speech before a joint meeting of Congress.
Kaydn Dorsey (left) and Lionel Perkins, both 4, draw on a coloring sheet bearing the image of Pope Francis as they wait for him to arrive on a visit to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington on Sept. 24, 2015.
Nuns from the order of the Servants of the Lord pose for a photograph as they wait outside the U.S. Capitol for a chance to see Pope Francis in Washington on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. Francis is expected to greet the crowd outside from a balcony after addressing members of Congress.
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio greets Pope Francis on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, as the pope arrived before addressing a joint meeting.
In this photo provided by L'Osservatore Romano, President Barack Obama meets with Pope Francis at the White House in Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015.
In this photo provided by L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis and first lady Michelle Obama pet the Obama's dogs as President Barack Obama looks at the White House in Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015.
Pope Francis leaves St. Mathew’s Cathedral in his Fiat 500 after a midday prayer service in Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, as bishops applaud.
President Barack Obama and Pope Francis walk down the Colonnade before meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015.
President Barack Obama meets with Pope Francis in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Sept. 23, 2015. The pontiff is on his first visit to the United States.
Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the Popemobile during a parade on Constitution Avenue in Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, following a state arrival ceremony at the White House hosted by President Barack Obama.
Pope Francis gives a thumbs up to the crowd as he rides in his Popemobile down Constitution Avenue in Washington on September 23, 2015, day two of his first visit to the United States.
Children of parents who work at the Lithuanian Embassy take selfies with Pope Francis as he departs the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican's diplomatic mission in Washington, on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015.
U.S. President Barack Obama and Pope Francis share a laugh as President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcomed the Pontiff upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington September 22, 2015.
Pope Francis celebrates a Mass in the Plaza of the Revolution, in Holguin, Cuba, Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. Francis called on Cubans to heed Jesus Christ's invitation to overcome resistance to change.
Pope Francis speaks as he holds a Mass in the Plaza de la Revolution on Sept. 21, 2015 in Holguin, Cuba. Pope Francis is spending his second day of a three-day trip in Cuba before moving on to the United States.
Pope Francis is greeted by Cuba's President Raul Castro as he arrives to lead a mass for Catholic faithful in the city of Holguin, Cuba, on Sept. 21, 2015.
People wave Cuban and Vatican flags as Pope Francis walks with Cuba's President Raul Castro after arriving at Jose Marti International Airport on September 19, 2015 in Havana, Cuba.
Pope Francis walks with Cuba's President Raul Castro as he arrives at Jose Marti International Airport on September 19, 2015 in Havana, Cuba.
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It was a welcome message to many U.S. bishops and conservatives who have objected to the Obama administration's health care mandate and the recent Supreme Court legalization of same-sex marriage.
With flags snapping, color guard at attention and a military band's brassy marches, Francis stepped from his modest Fiat onto the South Lawn on a crisp fall morning that felt as optimistic as his own persona. Pope and president stood on a red-carpeted platform bedecked with red, white and blue bunting, standing at attention for the national anthems of the Hole See and the United States.
After their opening remarks on the lawn, Obama and Francis pulled up two arm chairs by the fireplace in the Oval Office for a one-on-one meeting where they hoped to find common cause on issues they hold dear — and respectful disagreement where they differ sharply, on subjects such as abortion and same-sex marriage.
Just before the pope arrived, Obama had tweeted to the Holy Father: "Welcome to the White House, @Pontifex! Your messages of love, hope, and peace have inspired us all."
Obama, joking that his backyard is not typically so crowded, told the pope during the welcoming ceremony that the excitement surrounding his visit was a reflection of Francis' "humility, your embrace of simplicity, the gentleness of your words and the generosity of your spirit."
The president singled out the pope's call for focusing on the poor and the marginalized, including refugees fleeing war and immigrants in search of a better life.
Along the parade route, bodyguards ferried several babies from behind police barricades to the Jeep for pontifical kisses. And at one point, a young girl in pigtails and tennis shoes tried to approach the popemobile. When security guards tried to shoo her back, Francis motioned her over and bestowed a papal kiss and blessing.
The pope later in the morning was to speak to America's bishops, an address that was highly anticipated given a certain disconnect between Francis' focus on social justice and a merciful church and the culture wars that America's bishops have waged in recent years over abortion and gay rights.
As bishops have found themselves increasingly on the losing side in the national struggle over marriage and abortion, they have made religious freedom a rallying cry, with a largely domestic focus.
Francis' remarks that religious freedom is "one of American's most precious possessions" could well give them encouragement to keep up the fight.
Obama, sensitive to conservative attacks against his administration, made a point in his remarks of saying "we cherish religious liberty."
From the instant the white-robed and grinning Francis landed in the U.S. on Tuesday, doffed his skullcap in the breeze and clambered into his charcoal-gray Fiat, his visit has electrified wonky Washington, which can be jaded about the comings and goings of world figures.
Washington was the first stop on the pope's six-day, three-city visit to the United States.
Kimberly Johnson, a 27-year-old medical student who lives in Washington, said she arrived outside the security gates at midnight in order to be the first one let into the sectioned-off viewing area that opened at 4 a.m.
"It's not just that he's the pope. He's a cool pope," Johnson said. "He's bringing the Catholic Church into the 21st century and making it a more accessible faith."
The pope took his time getting to the White House, stopping to greet schoolchildren who had gathered outside the Vatican's nunciature. The children took selfies with the pope, hugged him and waved Holy See flags.
Even before he arrived for his first U.S. visit, Francis was fending off conservative criticism of his economic views. He told reporters on his flight from Cuba that some people may have an inaccurate impression that he is "a little bit more left-leaning."
"I am certain that I have never said anything beyond what is in the social doctrine of the church," he said.
From Francis' vantage point, his next stop after the White House was just as critical. The 78-year-old pontiff was meeting with America's 450-strong bishops' conference at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.
Many U.S. bishops have struggled to come to terms with Francis' new social justice-minded direction of the church. Nearly all were appointed by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. They prioritized drawing clearer boundaries for Catholic behavior and belief in the face of legalized abortion, advances in gay rights and the exodus of many Westerners from organized religion.
The American church spends hundreds of millions of dollars each year through its social service agencies, and for years has sought an overhaul of the immigration system to reunite families, shelter refugees and give the poor the chance at a better life. But the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has increasingly put its resources behind high-profile fights over abortion, contraception and gay marriage.
Hailing from Argentina, the first pope from the Americas also was acting Wednesday to canonize a Spanish friar who brought the Catholic faith to California.
Francis was to celebrate the Mass of canonization for Junipero Serra in Spanish. Several thousand of the 25,000 tickets to the event were set aside for Spanish-speaking people, many from California. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception erected a temporary sanctuary on the east portico for the Mass.
On Thursday, Francis planned to deliver the first papal address ever to Congress, speaking to Republican-majority legislators deeply at odds with Obama on issues such as gay rights, immigration, abortion and climate change. Those same issues are roiling the early months of the presidential campaign.
Francis has been pressing his environmental message ahead of crucial climate change talks later this year in Paris, issuing a major teaching document on humanity's obligation to protect God's creation and aiming to spur world leaders to make commitments to reverse global warming. He will bring that message to the United Nations on Friday.
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Associated Press writers Juliet Linderman and Jessica Gresko in Washington and Religion writer Rachel Zoll in New York contributed to this report.