Pope Francis leans out and waves to the crowd as he rides in a popemobile along a parade route around the National Mall on September 23, 2015 in Washington, DC. Thousands of people gathered near the Ellipse to catch of glimpse of Pope Francis after he addressed an audience of 15,000 invited guests on the South Lawn of the White House during an official arrival ceremony with President Barack Obama. The Pope began his first trip to the United States at the White House followed by a visit to St. Matthew's Cathedral, and will then hold a Mass on the grounds of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.