Pope Francis waves to seminarians lining the driveway as he leaves after celebrating Mass at the Pontifical North American College in Rome May 2. Also pictured are Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Msgr. James F. Checchio, a priest of the Diocese of Camden and rector of the college. It was the first papal visit to the U.S. seminary since 1980. At the end of Mass, Pope Francis said the visit to the seminary was “a beautiful and meaningful introduction to my apostolic visit to the United States of America.”
CNS photos/Paul Haring
Pope Francis talks with Msgr. James F. Checchio, rector of the Pontifical North American College, as he arrives to celebrate Mass at the college in Rome May 2.