The 78-year-old pontiff delivered a message in Washington, stating that America's power and wealth should be used to serve humanity. He emphasized the importance of not turning our backs on those in need, urging a mindset of openness towards others. Born in Argentina to an Italian immigrant family, Francis addressed a variety of issues in his speech to Congress, touching on both liberal and conservative values and Catholic teachings. He called for an end to the death penalty worldwide, advocated for a more equitable economy to help those in poverty, and urged greater efforts against climate change caused by human activities. After his speech, he traveled to New York, where he was warmly welcomed by crowds lining Fifth Avenue as he made his way to St. Patrick's Cathedral in his "popemobile." With the sound of organ music and a choir singing, the pope was greeted by a crowd of 3,000 people in the cathedral for an evening prayer service. On Friday, Francis is scheduled to speak at the United Nations General Assembly in New York and lead an open-air Mass in Philadelphia on Sunday. His call for action on immigration was met with applause from both Democrats and Republicans in attendance at his address to a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress. The issue of illegal immigration has been a focal point in the Republican presidential race, with front-runner Donald Trump vowing to deport all 11 million undocumented immigrants, many of whom are from Latin America like the pope. Trump has also made controversial remarks accusing Mexico of sending criminals across the border. Francis addressed a problem that has caused the Republicans to lose support among Hispanic voters by stating that America should not be deterred by the influx of foreigners from south of the border seeking a better life. He emphasized the importance of seeing these individuals as people, listening to their stories, and responding to their situations with compassion, fairness, and brotherhood. The Pope spoke gently and with a strong accent, flanked by House Speaker John Boehner and Vice President Joe Biden. Boehner, known for getting emotional, openly wept during the speech. The United States has been struggling for a long time to determine what to do with illegal immigrants. Last year, Republicans in Congress prevented a bipartisan effort to reform immigration laws that would have given illegal immigrants an opportunity to become US citizens. In a Pew Research Center survey conducted in May, 51 percent of 2,002 U.S. adults believed that immigrants contribute positively to the country through their hard work and abilities, while 41 percent viewed immigrants as a burden because they compete for jobs, housing, and healthcare. It remains uncertain whether the pope's speech will change people's opinions on immigration. "It doesn't change my perspective," stated Michael Tipsword, a student at George Washington University and a Catholic. Tipsword, a staunch conservative, stated that Francis' stance on immigration is more about humanitarian needs than politics. The Pope, speaking in front of the US Capitol building, referenced Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr., urging lawmakers to prioritize unity for the common good. Presidential candidates on both sides used the Pope's words to support their own views. Additionally, Francis emphasized the importance of protecting human life at all stages, mentioning abortion and euthanasia. However, he quickly shifted his focus to denouncing the death penalty, emphasizing the sanctity of every life and the potential benefits of rehabilitating convicted criminals. Pope Francis also criticized the global arms trade, which he described as being fueled by money tainted with innocent blood, and called for an end to this practice. He expressed his disapproval of same-sex marriage, a stance that was well-received by conservatives. In an effort to emphasize his message of assisting the less fortunate, Pope Francis chose to have lunch with homeless individuals immediately after leaving the US Capitol in his modest black Fiat, stating that there is no excuse for homelessness.