Pope Francis starts historic tour of U.S.September 23, 2015 - 12:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Pope Francis has begun his tour of the U.S., where he is expected to greet millions of American Catholics and address thorny issues like climate change and income inequality, BBC News reports. U.S. President Barack Obama welcomed the pope as he landed on Tuesday, September 22 - a rare honor for a foreign dignitary. The pontiff will visit Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia. On the trip from Cuba to the US, the Pope held a news conference and answered those who said his criticisms of capitalism went too far. "I've never said anything that is not in the social doctrine of the church," the Pope told reporters. "Maybe I have given the impression of (being) a bit lefty, but that would be a mistaken interpretation." When he landed at Andrews Air Force Base, the Pope was greeted by Obama and his family along with Vice-President Joe Biden and his wife. Taking questions from journalists, the Pope answered in Spanish and Italian for almost half an hour, apologizing that English was not his forte. Asked why he hadn't met dissidents in Cuba, he said he had had no private audiences with anyone. However, he had greeted all those invited to meet him on the steps of Havana Cathedral - who may have included dissidents. Now, Pope Francis is starting to focus on the US leg of his visit - which could be just as tricky a diplomatic balancing act. Photo. BBC Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |