The Latest: Sisters of Mercy on hand for pope Mass

Francis settled a controversy in April over a three-year Vatican investigation into the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, which the sisters are part of.

The umbrella group for women's religious orders had been accused of straying from church teaching.

Francis' progressive agenda parallels their views on helping the poor and immigrants, preserving life and ending the death penalty.

Pope Francis has finished celebrating a Mass, stopping to bless children in wheelchairs before leaving the cathedral in downtown Philadelphia.

Francis walked through a chapel adjacent to the main room in the cathedral on Saturday to greet ill and disabled parishioners, along with other visitors.

The former Archbishop of Philadelphia who retired in 2011 amid a scandal over clergy sex abuse is celebrating Mass with Pope Francis.

Rigali retired to the Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee, months after a grand jury accused the Philadelphia archdiocese of sheltering more than three dozen credibly accused priests and lying about it to victims and others.

Later Saturday, Francis will give a speech on religious freedom and immigration and then join in the final night of the World Meeting of Families.

Later Saturday, he will give a speech on religious freedom and immigration and then join in the final night of the World Meeting of Families.

Later on Saturday, Francis will give a speech on religious freedom and immigration and then join in the final night of the World Meeting of Families.

Pope Francis has left Philadelphia's airport and is headed to its main Catholic cathedral to celebrate Mass for about 1,600 people.

A local Catholic high school band played, including the theme song from the Philadelphia-set movie "Rocky."

Pope Francis has arrived in Philadelphia to begin a visit that will include celebrating Mass for what organizers estimate will be more than 1 million people.

In keeping with Francis' efforts to bring religions closer, New Yorkers who came to say farewell to Francis included a Sikh in a white turban as well as representatives of other faiths.

Roman Catholic worshippers and church officials have gathered for a brief farewell on the JFK airport tarmac.

Francis arrived in New York on Thursday evening from Washington, D.C. His crowded New York itinerary included a speech to the United Nations General Assembly, a visit to the World Trade Center Memorial and Museum and a Mass at Madison Square Garden.

After speeches to Congress and the United Nations aimed at world leaders, Pope Francis will embark on the segment of his American journey expected to be the most centered on ordinary Catholics: a Vatican-organized rally for the family that will culminate in an outdoor Mass for a million people.