Pontiff endears himself to the world in global whirlwind tour

Wherever Pope Francis has visited since coming into office in 2013, he has been received by overwhelming crowds and accorded a rousing welcome.

The elation has been one of a kind, with crowds shoving each other to catch a glimpse of the man of God. The Holy Father has become immensely popular, achieving a unique global reputation in a short time.

So far, the Pope has visited 17 countries, with the US being the most recent country he toured.

His first international trip after taking office was a week-long tour to Brazil for the 2013 World Youth Day, where according to Los Angeles Times, he combined charm with serious teachings.

The trip was described by many as a great success and according to media reports, a crowd estimated at 3.5 million people gathered at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro for his final mass, before he concluded the trip. The Pointiff has been described as warm, endearing himself to the people and during his Brazil tour, he insisted on riding in an open topped vehicle instead of the bullet proof Popemobile.

According to CNN, the Pope told a Spanish newspaper that he prefers not to use a bulletproof Popemobile despite the dangers of an assassination attempt because it is a glass ‘sardine can’ that walls him off from people.

He is reported to have said: “It is true that anything could happen but let’s face it. At my age, I don’t have much to lose.” His next visit to Jordan and Palestine in 2014 was viewed as a success in countries where the Christian population is relatively small. Thousands of faithful packed the International Stadium in Amman for the Mass, cheered and waved as the Holy Father arrived.

His subsequent visit to Israel was a little strained after he made an unscheduled stop the previous day at the wall that separates Israel and Palestine at Bethlehem.

According to a report by the Guardian, some Israelis, such as Oded Ben-Hur, a diplomatic adviser to the Israeli parliament, felt Palestinians had ‘used the Pope as a political tool’ by taking him to see the wall.

The Pointiff’s first visit to Asia was to South Korea, where according to the Wall Street Journal, he was received warmly and held a public mass of 800,000 people on the last day of his visit, where he beatified 124 Korean martyrs.

US visit

Of all his visits, however, his latest trip to the US from September 19 to 27 must have been the most awaited of all. The whole world was waiting to see how he would be received.

According to New York Times, Pope Francis landed to a red carpet welcome by the US President Barrack Obama, his deputy and their families.

The Pope admitted according to a report by CNN that he was surprised by the warmth of the Americans as well as the devoutness of the faithful.

During the historic visit, several schoolchildren saluted the Pointiff, who patted them on their heads. The Pointiff waved and smiled as the massive crowds that had lined the streets scuffled to capture the unforgettable moment with their phones.

The jubilant crowd then started chanting in Spanish ‘Francisco, Francisco’

 “It was a beautiful thing and also different,” the Pope said through an Italian translator.

“Washington, the welcome was warm but more formal; New York was a bit exuberant; Philadelphia very demonstrative,” the CNN report said.

As for the devoutness of Americans, the CNN reported the Pope as having said: “You could see the people pray and this struck me a lot.”

Other countries he has visited include Albania, where according to The Telegraph, he hailed the country, mostly dominated by Muslim, as a model of religious harmony.

He was welcomed by a passionate crowd during his visit to Turkey, according to a report by BBC. He received a rock star’s welcome, with youngsters desperately holding up their mobile phones to take pictures with him.

The 78-year-old Pope has also visited Sri-Lanka, where according to a report by NBC News, he drew a crowd so large and interfaith in a minority Christian nation that it stunned even the Vatican.

His visit to the Philippines saw at least six million people attend his outdoor mass in the country’s capital of Manila, according to a report by BBC.

Crowds sang and applauded as the Holy Father made stoppages at various points to greet the faithful.

And during his visit to Cuba, the Pointiff was received by President Raul Castro at Jose Marti International airport in Havana. Other countries the Pope Francis has visited include Bosnia, Herzegovina, Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay, with scheduled visits to Kenya, Uganda and Central African Republic.