Pursuits
Obama to Bask in Pope's Aura, But Francis Wants Economic Justice
- Popemobile's cruise through Washington may draw 150,000
- Choice of Fiat signals Francis' agenda for first U.S. visit
Is U.S. Ready for Pope Francis' Social Message?
This article is for subscribers only.
When Pope Francis meets Barack Obama at the White House on Wednesday, the president will bask in his guest’s moral authority and iconic popularity. But the first pontiff from Latin America is likely to exploit those assets to pressure his host on U.S. global economic leadership.
On Francis’s first full day in the country, Obama and as many as 15,000 guests will welcome him on the South Lawn of the White House. For the president, it’s an opportunity to showcase the pope’s support for his initiatives on income inequality, immigration and climate change.