Following his address to the U.S. Congress, Pope Francis, along with Vice President Joe Biden, Speaker of the House John Boehner and members of Congress, greeted thousands gathered at the National Mall. The following is a ZENIT translation of the Pope’s words:
Good morning everyone. I thank you all for your welcome and your presence. I thank the most important people who are here: the children. I want to ask God to bless you. Lord, Father of all, bless this people, bless each one of them, bless their families, give them what they need. I ask all of you to please pray for me. And if there is someone among you who does not believe or cannot pray, I ask you to wish me well. Thank you very much. God Bless America.
[Translation by Junno Arocho Esteves]
