The day began with smiles and selfies as the Pope greeted fans who'd waited hours to see him... and then after a short drive to Capitol Hill, the first official meeting of the day with a clearly nervous.

It was Boehner, a Catholic, who'd invited Pope Francis to address the joint session of Congress. It was the first time a Pope had ever received such an invitation.

And when he entered the packed chamber, lawmakers gave the pontiff arousing welcome.

But no one was expecting an easy sermon from Pope Francis. His political views on climate change, immigration, abortion and gay marriage are well known, and he wasn't going to spare Washington politicians the benefits of his opinions... staring with immigration.

"We, the people of this continent, are not fearful of foreigners, because most of us were once foreigners", Pope Fracis.

And on climate change, the Pope was equally clear:

-I call for a courageous and responsible effort to "redirect our steps" (ibid., 61), and to avert and to avert the most serious effects of the environmental deterioration caused by human activity. I am convinced that we can make a difference.

Pope Francis also touched on religious extremism, the arms trade, poverty and called for an end to the death penalty in the US....well aware that he was addressing a House and Senate more polarized than at any other time in generations.

Even so, when it was over, whether they agreed or not, the lawmakers did come together.... with a standing ovation.