In a rare gesture, US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle would greet Pope Francis on his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, ahead of the formal welcome at the White House on September 23.
"It is not necessarily routine for the US President to welcome a foreign leader at the Andrews Air Force, but there has been precedent to it," said Eric Schulz the White House Deputy Press Secretary.
"During the visit, the President and the Pope will continue the dialogue, which they began during the President's visit to the Vatican in March 2014, on their shared values and commitments on a wide range of issues," the White House said.
