The Pope Comes To Washington

Pope Francis will celebrate his first full day in the nation’s capital on Wednesday, meeting at the White House with Mr. Obama and participating in a parade for thousands of adoring admirers before canonizing the Rev. Junípero Serra, an 18th-century Spanish missionary, in a Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Mr. Obama is expected to welcome the pope, who received a rock-star greeting as he arrived in Washington on Tuesday, complete with chants and shrieking crowds, by taking note of his unique standing in the world and his unifying presence. White House officials said the president had not mapped out any political agenda.

“This is an opportunity for two men who have so many values in common to talk about the efforts that they are taking in the respective and quite different roles to advance those shared values,” said Josh Earnest, the White House spokesman.

Map: Street closures in downtown Washington, DC,