The 78-year-old pontiff delivered a message to the United States Congress, emphasizing that America's power and wealth should be used to serve humanity and urging the nation not to turn its back on "the stranger in our midst." Pope Francis, who was born in Argentina to an Italian immigrant family, addressed a wide range of issues in his speech that touched on liberal concerns as well as conservative values and Catholic teachings on the family. He called for an end to the death penalty, advocated for a more equitable economy to help those in poverty, and urged greater efforts to combat climate change. Later, he was cheered by crowds in New York as he traveled to St. Patrick's Cathedral. The pope was warmly received by a crowd of 3,000 in the cathedral for an evening prayer service, with organ music playing and a chorus singing. He is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday and to celebrate an open-air Mass in Philadelphia on Sunday. Despite receiving applause from both Democrats and Republicans, the pope's plea on immigration has been met with harsh rhetoric, particularly from Republican front-runner Donald Trump, who has vowed to deport all 11 million illegal immigrants, most of whom are from Latin America. Trump has also accused Mexico of sending criminals across the border. In his address, Francis discussed an issue that has caused the Republicans to lose support among Hispanic voters, emphasizing that America should not be deterred by the influx of immigrants from the south seeking a better life. He stressed the importance of seeing these individuals as people, hearing their stories, and responding to their situation with compassion, fairness, and brotherhood. Francis was accompanied by two prominent American Catholics, House Speaker John Boehner and Vice President Joe Biden, during his speech, where Boehner was visibly moved to tears. The United States has been struggling for a long time to decide what to do with illegal immigrants. Last year, Republicans in Congress blocked a bipartisan effort to change immigration laws that would have given illegal immigrants a chance to become US citizens. According to a Pew Research Center poll in May, 51 percent of 2,002 U.S. adults believe immigrants strengthen the country with their hard work and talents, while 41 percent think immigrants are a burden because they take jobs, housing, and healthcare. It is uncertain whether the pope's speech will change opinions on immigration. "It doesn't change my views," said Michael Tipsword, a student at George Washington University and a Catholic. He stated that Francis' stance on immigration is more focused on humanitarian concerns rather than politics. Tipsword, who identifies as a strong conservative, made this statement while watching the pope's speech at the US Capitol building. Francis, referencing American icons Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr., urged lawmakers to prioritize unity over partisan conflicts in order to achieve the greatest common good. Presidential candidates from both parties used the pope's remarks to support their own beliefs. The pope also emphasized the importance of protecting human life at all stages, mentioning issues like abortion and euthanasia. He quickly shifted his focus to advocating for the abolition of the death penalty, emphasizing the sanctity of every life and the potential benefits of rehabilitating criminals. He also condemned the global arms trade fueled by blood money and criticized the silence surrounding it. Despite appealing to conservatives by expressing his opposition to same-sex marriage and questioning the foundations of marriage and family, he continued to emphasize his message of helping the poor by going directly from the US Capitol to have lunch with homeless individuals, stressing that there is no justification for homelessness.