After a historic trip to Cuba, during which Pope Francis delivered a Mass to thousands under the watchful eye of Che Guevara in Havana's Revolution Square, the Pope has begun his visit to the US.
The Pope flew out of Santiago, in the east of Cuba, and was due to touch down at Joint Base Andrews, the military airport near Washington, at 4PM (8PM GMT).
The Pope was warmly received during his visit to the communist island, and was praised for his role in calling for further reconciliation between the US and Cuba island, where all diplomatic ties had been severed since 1961 until July this year.
The Pope's visit to America will last six days, with the first three days consisting of visits to political and religious sites in Washington, DC, such as the White House, the Capitol, and St Matthew's Cathedral.
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On Thursday 24 September, the pontiff will then fly to New York, where he will meet with the United Nations General Assembly, visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum, and lead a Mass at the Madison Square Garden arena.
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After New York, he heads to Philadelphia, to lead another Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, before visiting Independence Hall, the place where the American Declaration of Independence and Constitution were debated and adopted.
He will return to Rome on Sunday 27 September, ending his first visit to to America as pope.
