As with his stops in Washington, D.C. and New York City earlier this week, Pope Francis's visit to Philadelphia is expected to draw thousands throughout the weekend.
After landing in Philadelphia, the pope noticed a boy in a wheelchair from the window of his black Fiat. He stopped and got out of the car, walked over to the boy, later identified as Michael Keating, and blessed and kissed his forehead.
The 10-year-old has cerebral palsy.
"I had to turn away," Michael's father Chuck told the Washington Post. "It was just overwhelming."
On the first day of his two-day tour, the pope led mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. About 1,600 people were in attendance, according to the Associated Press.
At mass, Pope Francis called for increased participation in the church from those not affiliated with the clergy, and stressed the importance of recognizing women's contributions to society.
"We know that the future of the church in a rapidly changing society will call, and even now calls, for a much more active engagement on the part of the laity," he said.
"In a particular way, it means valuing the immense contribution which women, lay and religious, have made and continue to make to the life of our communities."
The pope will visit Independence Mall in the afternoon; and attend the Festival of Families, a celebration of intercultural families from around the world.
Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput reportedly asked Pope Francis to address religious freedom during his address at Independence Mall, CNN reported. The pope obliged, but said that he would also speak on the topic of immigration, as he has during his two other U.S. stops.
Standing in front of the white doors to Independence Hall, Pope Francis touted the right to religious freedom as one of the essential building blocks of the country.
Religious freedom, he said, has allowed for the world's different religions to co-exist and interact peacefully.
Those religious voices, he said, have a responsibility to speak out against uniformity or those who "use religion as a pretext for hate or inhumanity."
"It is necessary that the different religious voices speak up for peace, dignity and respect for one another," he said.
He asked for people to remember the foundational principles of liberty that were established inside Liberty Hall, especially as new immigrants take their place as part of the country.
"Many of you have immigrated to this country at a great personal cost," he said. "Do not be disheartened by the difficulties you will face."
Those making a new home in the U.S. are called to be "responsible citizens and contribute, like those who made the effort before you."
But he urged immigrants to embrace their culture and their differences to "not only find your place here, but help renovate society from within."
"Please do not be ashamed ever of your traditions," the pope said in front of Liberty Hall. "Do not forget the lessons you learned from your elders and that you can enrich the lives of this American nation."
The pope ended his day with a visit to the Festival of Families at Benjamin Franklin Parkway, where he spoke on the importance of family.
"A society grows strong, grows well, grows beautifully and grows truthfully if it is based in the truth of family," he said. "There are difficulties in the family, but those difficulties are overcome with love. Hate overcomes nothing."
Sunday will be the last day of Pope Francis's visit in the U.S.
He is scheduled to meet with bishops in St. Martin's Chapel in St. Charles Borromoeo Seminary Sunday morning, and then visit the Curran-Fromhold Correctional facility.
He will celebrate mass once more before leaving for Rome that evening.
Here's the video of Satuyday's mass in Philadelphia:
