Reminiscing Over the Past: 7News Reporters recount their experiences covering Pope Francis' travels across the Americas in 2015
Pope Francis' 2015 U.S. Visit: A Spiritual and Political Phenomenon
In 2015, Pope Francis made a historic visit to the United States, marking a significant moment for Catholic engagement with American politics and society. The visit, covered extensively by 7News reporters, brought moral and humanitarian issues to the forefront and evoked a spectrum of responses from different sectors.
Scott Thuman, a 7News Senior Political Reporter at the time, covered Pope Francis' visit to Washington, D.C., and New York City. Thuman recalled the atmosphere on Capitol Hill as tense but charged with optimism. One surreal moment he remembered was standing across from Trump Tower in Manhattan during the visit, just months after Donald Trump declared his presidential candidacy.
In Washington, D.C., John Gonzalez was tethered to the roof of the Basilica, following Pope Francis from the nation's capital to Philadelphia. Gonzalez met a group of kids from San Diego who had raised $7,500 over six months to attend the Pope's visit. For Gonzalez, 2015 was a significant moment as it was a time when he witnessed a Pope on a mission and a nation watching.
One of the most impactful moments of the visit was Pope Francis' address to the U.S. Congress. He implored lawmakers to support immigrants fleeing persecution at the southern border, emphasizing humanitarian concerns. This speech was notable for its direct moral appeal to American politicians and was a highlight of the visit.
Pope Francis' visit to New York City was also covered by 7News reporters, including Tom Roussey. In New York, Francis urged world leaders to promote peace and underscored global challenges, reinforcing his role as a spiritual and diplomatic leader on the international stage.
The visit concluded in Philadelphia with a large, open-air Spanish-language mass, demonstrating Pope Francis’ outreach to diverse Catholic communities in the U.S. The first-ever canonization mass in the U.S., where Junípero Serra was canonized, was another significant moment during the visit, although it generated both support and criticism.
The visit left a mark on the millions who came to see the Pope and the journalists who followed his every step. Thuman noted that during the visit, people wanted to be near the Pope and felt like they were part of something bigger. One woman told 7News that the experience was a "spiritual coming" for her and her daughter. Another man claimed to have shaken the Pope's hand during the visit.
The visit came shortly after the release of Francis' encyclical Laudato si’ on environmental issues, which had limited immediate impact in the U.S. due to political divides, but highlighted Francis’ broader moral leadership that extended into American public discourse.
The media reaction to the visit was mixed, with journalists highlighting the pope’s progressive stance on social issues such as immigration and climate change, alongside the controversies his visit generated. His calls for compassion toward marginalized groups and criticism of strict immigration policies resonated with many, while conservative factions voiced concern or opposition.
Overall, Pope Francis’ 2015 U.S. visit was seen as a significant moment for Catholic engagement with American politics and society, bringing moral and humanitarian issues to the forefront while evoking a spectrum of responses from different sectors, as captured by 7News journalists and other media coverage.
Today, nearly a decade after the visit, Pope Francis' impact on American society and politics continues to be felt, with his messages of compassion, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship resonating with many. Scott Thuman, who covered the visit, is now anchoring the 7News evening broadcasts, reflecting the enduring legacy of the Pope's visit on American media.
In the midst of Pope Francis' 2015 U.S. visit, social media platforms buzzed with discussions and shares about his progressive stance on social issues like immigration and climate change, evoking diverse responses from viewers.
During the visit, papal events were attended by social media influencers who live-streamed their experiences, providing an entertainment element to the religious event for those who couldn't be present in person.
