DescriptionPope Francis Visits the United States Capitol (22153720701).jpg
His Holiness Pope Francis visited the U.S. Capitol on September 24, 2015, and became the first Pope to address a joint meeting of United States Congress. The Pontiff then addressed the crowds assembled along the West Front.
Multiple jurisdictions within the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) worked together to prepare for His Holiness' historic arrival at the Capitol, treating it much like a rehearsal for the next inauguration. The AOC teams built a platform for the Pontiff to stand on so the crowds below could see him and also constructed a safety bannister that seamlessly matched the ornate railing of the Speaker's balcony.
This image is a work of an employee of the
Architect of the Capitol, taken or made as part of that person's official duties. As a
work of the
U.S. federal government, all images created or made by the Architect of the Capitol are in the
public domain in the United States.