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Continuing Coverage of Pope Francis's Visit to Philadelphia. Aired 3-4p ET

Aired September 26, 2015 - 15:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:00:29] POPPY HARLOW, CNN HOST: Hi, everyone. I'm Poppy Harlow.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: And I'm Jake Tapper. We're joining you live from the Ben Franklin parkway in beautiful Philadelphia for continuing coverage of Pope Francis' visit to America.

HARLOW: It is one of the nation's busiest cities and has come to a standstill. You got to believe we just added a whole lot of it.

TAPPER: Fairly crazy.

HARLOW: On our way over here today. Philadelphia and much of the world waiting to hear Pope Francis confront today's battles over immigration. It is the root of a humanitarian crisis right now in Africa. For Africans trying to get into Europe and Syria trying to get in Europe and a political stalemate here in the United States.

Next hour, the Pope will tap into this city's rich history to drive home his message of unity and compassion. Crowds are gathering outside of Philadelphia's iconic independence hall, the birth place of this nation of immigrants.

TAPPER: And the Pope will use a lectern, we're told, that was central to one of the most famous speeches in American history. It was used by President Lincoln during his Gettysburg address. About 40,000 people are expected to cram into and around the mall to hear his speech, which will be delivered in Spanish, we're told. A million people will swarm the Pope's outdoor event this evening. He'll deliver a prayer at the festival of families, a celebration of community and faith.

Let's bring in Jim Sciutto, CNN's chief national security correspondent who is at independence hall there on Chestnut Street where the Pope is due to speak about immigration and religious freedom in a little bit more than an hour.

Jim, tell us more about the Pope's speech on immigration and the significance.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Jake, we've talked a lot about these last few days about how the Pope has not overtly inserted himself into the divisive political debates in the U.S. on issues such as immigration. It is speeches to Congress and before the U.N. general assembly yesterday, but suddenly he has. And you cannot discuss immigration today as you know, particularly with how prominent it is in the presidential election for 2016. You can't discuss it in public in the U.S. today without being part of that debate.

And you're going to see that here today. We know what the Pope's message is, based on what he's already said, what he has come here. That he is a child of this continent, and when we say continent, north and South America. He, of course, from South America, Italian background, immigrated there. But talking about how we Americans, our country founded here at independence hall behind me. We are a nation of immigrants, as well. And he drives home that message to not too subtly, I would argue, make the point that we all need to be welcoming in a way as we know that certain political candidates have not.

So he is a part of that debate, even in the deft and gentle way that he's done it and delivered each of his messages here. And I think we are going to hear more of that today in the crowd today. You have many immigrant families just like those immigrant children that he met yesterday when he stopped by that school in East Harlem.

So that is the kind of scene you are going to have. But at each stop while those messages has been strong and heart felt and full of conviction, they haven't been openly political. And I think we can expect the same style later today.

HARLOW: All right, Jim Sciutto, thank you very much. We'll be watching a very exciting day for those 40,000 people that get to be there and the world really watching on television.

I do want to go now to our Carol Costello who is live among some of those people. People have been lining up. We saw them, I saw them from the moment I landed this morning. They are lined up along Benjamin Franklin parkway just to get a glimpse of the pontiff.

Carol, you cannot stop smiling. You are so happy to be out there. What are they saying?

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is like-- I can't even describe the feeling. It is excitement, anticipation, people are joyful. Right now, it is so -- we're packed in here like sardines because, yes, the Pope will be in the Pope mobile in a very short parade going down the Benjamin Franklin park way.

And a lot of people will be able to glimpse him. Take a look over there. I just love the signs people are holding up. There you can see, Pope Francis. This group of people are from Colombia. There are families here from all over the world because this is the world of family event, of course that were sponsored by the Vatican. Over here, a group of Dominican nuns so I'm behaving, Poppy.

I want to sit down and talk with you. I love your t-shirt.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

COSTELLO: What's your name? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Zachary Duvo (ph).

COSTELLO: Are you excited to be here?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Of course I am.

[15:05:00] COSTELLO: Of course you are. What do you think will go through your mind as the Pope passes by?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When I first saw him in Brazil in 2013, I first said he's real because I saw him in videos and pictures, but never saw him in person. So again, just to see the Holy Father presence in it a peace that comes down, you know, it really spiritual peace, but also just excitement of our Holy Father is --

COSTELLO: Do you think it'll change your life?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He already has. Yes. And definitely I have been praying and for this experience, for the world media families, what is this going to change in my life, but also in Philadelphia, as well.

COSTELLO: Thank you so much for talking with me.

I can't hear you anymore, Poppy. But I hope you can hear me. But this crowd is just amazing and, you know, people are hopeful. The Pope isn't expected to pass by here for a few hours yet. But it doesn't really matter because people are getting to go know one another. They're talking about their experiences and it's just a beautiful thing.

HARLOW: It a pretty beautiful thing to see especially in such a divided world these days.

Carol, thank you very much.

TAPPER: That's what's unusual about this, is that we're covering something happy, you know. Usually when news organizations all flock together, either it's for a disaster or for it is for contentious political event of some sort. But this is something where people are actually coming together.

HARLOW: I was thinking about that over the past few days watching our coverage and sort of what people around me were talking about. And it was so different from the past few months to politics which are very - it is important to talk about the divide, but it's nice to see the unity. Even though there was a bit of a divide, of course, on his message, but it is nice to see.

TAPPER: Yes. No, people coming together even though they degree about some of the things he is saying. It has been a historic five days here in the United States where Pope Francis coming here. He is touching the lives of millions, millions of people. The Pope arrived in Philadelphia this morning. He is going to spend his final two days in the United States here in the city of brotherly love. As usual, he has had a busy, busy morning.

Here is a look at some of the highlights from this morning's events.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

POPE FRANCIS, CATHOLIC CHURCH LEADER (through translator): The history of the church in this city and state is really a story not about building walls, but about breaking them down. (INAUDIBLE) were addressed to young person, a young woman with high ideals and they changed her life. They made her think of the immense work that had to be done and to realize she was being called to do her part. How many young people in our parishes and schools have the same ideals, generosity of spirit? Do we challenge them? Do we make space for them? And help them to do their part? Great challenges facing the church and the generation.

A sense of personal responsibility for the church's mission. This will require the creativity changing situations.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: Quite a morning, quite a day so far here in Philadelphia as has been his entire trip here to the United States. A group of people that the Pope is also reaching out to are Americans who are behind bars. Tomorrow morning, he will visit a prison right on the outskirts of Philadelphia. He'll meet with about 100 inmates, some of them incarcerated in this maximum security prison for absolutely horrific crimes. We'll take you inside that prison. You will hear from the inmates.

TAPPER: And later, Philadelphia event organizers invited comedian Jim Gaffigan to perform the opening act for Pope Francis. Gaffigan is a practicing catholic who often includes religion in his material. He joins us live just hours before, I think, it's fair to say his biggest gig ever. Stay with us.

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[15:13:58] TAPPER: Welcome back to CNN's live coverage of Pope Francis in America. I'm Jake Tapper.

HARLOW: In Philadelphia.

(CROSSTALK)

TAPPER: Very excited.

HARLOW: He's from here, he's very excited.

TAPPER: We are outside the RPC (ph). And where you can hear they're doing a sound check.

HARLOW: For a big concert tonight.

TAPPER: Yes. The countdown to the Pope's much-anticipated speech.

HARLOW: I'm Poppy Harlow, thrilled to be here for what is a huge day for the city and this country. Just over an hour from now, at the city's iconic independence hall. This is where the groundwork was laid for this nation of immigrants, and this is where Pope Francis will, again, confront today's struggle with immigration. He'll speak in his native Spanish. He will speak largely to Hispanic immigrants, and he will share the stage at the peace to American history and he'll use the lectern used by none other than President Lincoln in the Gettysburg address.

Tens of thousands of people expected to be there, and more than a million people expected to join him this evening on his route on his way there. The Pope will deliver a prayer at the Catholic Church of festival of families. You can see them preparing for the concert event behind us. It'll take place on Benjamin Franklin parkway, also the site of tomorrow's mass. That will be the Pope's final big event.

And just a few hours, one of the pontiff's opening act, taking the stage none other than comedian Jim Gaffigan. He's been tapped, no pressure, tapped to do stand-up before this crowd and before the Pope.

[15:15:25] TAPPER: I appreciate having this very emotional music playing behind us because that - when I, this song reminds me of you.

JIM GAFFIGAN, COMEDIAN: Yes.

TAPPER: It captures some of the irony.

GAFFIGAN: The irony, Jake, is I wrote this song. And I'll be singing this during my show because - but you know, I'll be opening for the Pope, which I have to think is easier than following the Pope. Because if you go after the Pope, everyone's like, that guy was good, but not as good as the holy guy.

TAPPER: For those who are not -- the few not as familiar with Jim Gaffigan as Poppy and I are, he's a comedian, practicing catholic. He often uses his faith in his comedy. In his stand-up routines and also on his TV land series "the Jim Gaffigan Show." Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For your wife's tireless service to our parish, we're giving your family this beautiful heirloom bible, personally blessed by the Holy Father himself.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow. Are we supposed to read it or writ ride down the Mississippi on it? I mean, that is wild gift. You don't happen to have a bag to help carry this around?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm sorry, Jim, we have no bags.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Garbage bag?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not that I'm embarrassed to seen with a bible the size of an aircraft carrier. It is just I'm going to a comedy club and I don't want to get a standup comedy on it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hey, I'm sorry. Would it be possible to get a photo?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. Why not.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: With Jim?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can you take it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're my 10-year-old brother's favorite comedian.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right? The kids love him!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is it? Every channel?

TAPPER: A devout Christian encountered some significant blowback among online secular groups.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TAPPER: Had a little cameo.

GAFFIGAN: Jack -- Jake. I call you jack. You were amazing. You didn't see his expression when I said Jack. He is kike, really, Jim?

HARLOW: Someone before the show called him John. So he is having a hard day.

GAFFIGAN: I'm a little nervous, Jake. I'm about to perform for a billion people.

TAPPER: OK. So you're about to do your routine.

GAFFIGAN: Yes.

TAPPER: The warm-up act for Pope Francis.

GAFFIGAN: Yes.

TAPPER: OK. How on earth, how did this happen?

GAFFIGAN: I think they searched throughout North America for the worst catholic there is.

HARLOW: To put next to the best catholic.

GAFFIGAN: Here we are, the stage is back there. I'm still expecting someone to come up and go, wow, there was a mistake. We thought you were Stephen Colbert or something. I just, this is, you know, I think the archbishop, he expressed interest in my stand-up. Which is weird, because I can't imagine.

TAPPER: Well, it's clean comedy. It's very funny, but you don't work blue like a lot of the kids do these days. I tell them, they don't have to. GAFFIGAN: They don't have to.

TAPPER: But it's clean comedy.

GAFFIGAN: It is clean. But, you know, you know, hopefully I just am known as funny.

TAPPER: Yes.

GAFFIGAN: And -- When people say, you know, why do you work clean? I always say it's because Jesus told me to. I mean, there's not some elaborate design here. I just kind do what I do and hopefully it's funny.

HARLOW: You're also a dad of five.

GAFFIGAN: Five.

HARLOW: So you know, the kids are watching.

GAFFIGAN: Yes. That's great. You know, the thing is -- this, you know, the pressure is on for this show. I don't really take my five children out to dinner because it's a little difficult. But now I'm taking them to --

HARLOW: They're here.

GAFFIGAN: A show where I'm performing for a million people. So it is the pressure is on.

TAPPER: And your wife, her faith, catholic faith is important to her. That's part of your act.

GAFFIGAN: Yes, my wife is very catholic. And she is -- she's the reason I'm catholic. She really, I was raised catholic, but she really kind of brought me in. And it's very exciting. But you know, it's great. It's a great thing. You know, when I told her, I was like, you know, well, I may be a horrible person. But you're going to meet the Pope.

HARLOW: This is what I was going to ask. Twofold question here. Usually if you are sort of on stage before someone. You might throw a few jabs there where you might (INAUDIBLE) a little bit. A, do you do that for the Pope? And b, I read you haven't been told if you're going to get an audience with the Pope. So if you're a betting man and want to meet him, so then do you hold back a little bit?

GAFFIGAN: No, I think, I think the Pope has way more important things on his mind. I mean, we are going to be on stage, which as a parent you are lie, OK, so perform to my kids up ahead. But there's no expectation of meeting him.

[15:20:11] TAPPER: How old is the youngest one?

GAFFIGAN: He is three. So --

TAPPER: Good luck with that.

GAFFIGAN: Yes. It's going to be an adventure, but what an amazing, you know, the energy feels electric here. And I mean, Philadelphia, I have always love Philadelphia, not as like McDonald trip, I have always love Philadelphia. But Philadelphia --

HARLOW: Does Philadelphia love you back?

GAFFIGAN: I think so. Let's - we will find out. But it's such a beautiful day. And this is - Philadelphia is an amazing city.

TAPPER: So let me ask you. So this Pope really seems to have touched the hearts of many people who maybe they weren't strained from the church, but maybe they could -- they could stand a nudge back. What kind of effect does he have on you?

GAFFIGAN: Well, I think he has had a very positive effect. It's been hard to be a catholic. I mean, obviously, the church has been involved in horrible things. And the fact that Pope Francis is embracing this humility, and also, the notion of mercy. You know, we are having this year of mercy. It is very important. It's, you know, one of the reasons I was raised catholic that I think I walked away is because it wasn't constructed on inclusion. It was more constructed on a set of rules. So just talk about the Eucharist is not for the perfect, it is for the sick, you know. That's the kind of thing as a cultural or cafeteria catholic, that you want to hear. You want a reason to come back to church.

HARLOW: And he said time and time again, the church is like a field hospital. And he's said over and over again, meet people where they are. I met some of these prisoners who he will meet tomorrow morning. He goes to the people on the periphery on the margins. I'm wondering, was there a moment for you in the papacy thus far that struck you the most?

GAFFIGAN: I think it was the -- who am I to judge?

HARLOW: That interview on a plane.

GAFFIGAN: On the plane about gay marriage, and I was just like, this guy gets it. And, by the way, I don't personally think that -- I mean, I also get nervous because I think that, you know, that this rock star status that people are like, you know, maybe he's going to have women as priests, maybe, you know, that, you know, he's opening the church to dialogue. But I don't think he's going to radicalize it, you know.

TAPPER: No.

GAFFIGAN: I mean, I love the discussion. But I get worried that people, you know, he's this humble guy that -- he's also a human. So when he talks about humility, in the entertainment industry, someone talks about something and then you prove, then we see they're not perfect. So let's not be surprised if he's not perfect. So he talks about humility. That doesn't mean that he doesn't, you know, have some comfort, you know what I mean. TAPPER: I know you have to go to get ready. What do you say to

somebody who goes and opens for the Pope? Break a leg doesn't seem to be enough. Break people's legs, break all bones?

GAFFIGAN: Yes. I was standing up there, and what I was - because I've also seen Pope Francis in a lot of his events. He ends with, "pray for me." And I was like, you know, now I know why he says that because, not that I'm comparing myself to him, but I was like, yes, pray for me. Even if you don't believe in anything.

TAPPER: All right, everybody out there, pray for Jim.

HARLOW: Tapper and I are praying.

TAPPER: He's opening for the Pope. Thanks so much. We know you are going to be great. You are going to be awesome.

GAFFIGAN: Thank you guys. Great chatting with you.

TAPPER: Just ahead, we'll go inside that prison where the Pope visits tomorrow. And a top prison official will talk to us live about the potential lasting impact of his unprecedented meeting. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:28:10] HARLOW: Welcome back. I'm Poppy Harlow.

TAPPER: And I'm Jake Tapper. We are just about 30 minutes away now from Pope Francis' arrival at Independence home in Philadelphia. You just saw a shot of it. Hundreds of thousands are people are there. They've flocked outside that icon of the United States. Crowds tonight at the festival of families where the Pope will appear are anticipated to be even larger than the ones outside where the declaration of independence was written. Tomorrow morning, though, the pontiff will head to a much different venue, without any festive fanfare.

HARLOW: This is the first time ever that a Pope will visit a U.S. prison. He will go to the Curran-Fromhold correctional facility that is on the outskirts of Philadelphia. It's the largest prison in the city. I went there last week. I spent time with some of the inmates and the officers at that prison as they get ready for this historic visit.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW (voice-over): It's a maximum security prison housing 2,800 inmates, some for the most brutal crimes you can imagine. Others with long rap sheets, only too familiar with prison.

You said to me, I'm guilty.

EDWARD GILCH, INMATE: Guilty as charged.

HARLOW: How has faith shaped your time in prison?

GILCH: I mean, it's all I got, really. It's all I got.

HARLOW: It may be the last place you would expect to see a Pope.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They want to have hope and this Pope brings hope.

HARLOW: How did this happen that the Pope is coming here?

LOU GIORLA, COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, PHILADELPHIA: Divine intervention?

HARLOW: On Sunday, Pope Francis will meet with some 100 inmates here at the Curran-Fromhold correctional facility on the outskirts of Philadelphia. It is the first time a Pope has ever visited a U.S. prison.

You're the reason the Pope is coming to this prison.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's a great honor and a great blessing.

HARLOW: Father Matthew Palkawski wrote a letter to the Vatican asking for the Pope to bless these prisoners. Some of them here for serious, many would say unforgivable, felonies. Some still awaiting trial.

How does he get him to come?

[15:30:00] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I asked him to consider the people who are here who are the least of these that Jesus talks about. The sort of little ones that he had a concern for.

GIORLA: It gives them a sense of value. The fact that they're not forgotten, that they still have worth. That there are individuals in the world that hope for their success.

HARLOW: We met three inmates who will meet the pontiff.

BRANDAN HARGROSE, INMATE: I made a bad decision, you know. I came here.

DINO ROBINSON, INMATE: I'm a strong believer that everything happens for a reason. So, me being here, in some ways, feels like I'm supposed to be here.

HARLOW: What about those who would say, shouldn't the Pope be meeting with the victims of those in here who are guilty?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If a house is on fire, yes, you want to help the people who are getting out of there. And you want to get them out. But you also want to put out the fire. If you're going to help change society, change comes in the heart first.

HARLOW: They are part of a team that built this chair for him as a gift.

HARLOW: What's that experience like? HARGROSE: Once in a lifetime thing. Our supervisors, you know, came

to us with the idea that they wanted us to make the chair. We were all ecstatic and excited.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was a lot of work from the woodwork down to the upholstery work. But with us collaborating on the job, everything came together. And came together nicely.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We tried to make it as perfect as possible.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're going to be able to say for the rest of your life, something I did is in the Vatican. Michelangelo and my work.

HARLOW: Pope Francis has made it abundantly clear, he is a Pope of the periphery caring for those on the margins. He's washed and kissed the feet of prisoners in Rome and visited the largest and most notorious prison in Bolivia earlier this year.

What does it mean in your heart to know that he's coming to see you?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Means a lot. Means, I mean, he's stepping into a prison without passing judgment on anybody. And that's hard for a lot of people to do. And coming from him, it's peaceful, humbling.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's a man of faith and he's not above us.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm just a human being like everybody else.

HARLOW: Albert Tillson is a practicing Muslim.

ALBERT TILLSON, INMATE: That's all I represent is peace.

HARLOW: He does not practice your religion, you do not practice his religion, but it does not matter to you.

TILLSON: No, it doesn't. Because at the end of the day, it's not about religion, it's about the peace and everybody sticking together.

HARLOW: 2.2 million Americans are incarcerated according to the international center for prison studies. Leaving the U.S. with close to 25 percent of the world's prisoners despite being home to just under five percent of the global population.

We really have to rethink the way we address our feds. And I think we've gone too far in criminalization.

HARLOW: We've gone too far in criminalization, coming from the man who runs this prison?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you're in here, you're going to be free because God made you free. I think a lot of the inmates have received a message so often that they're not worthwhile that they're somehow less that they're not fully human, not worth what everyone else is worth. And to have the Pope come and visit them is to say, yes, you really

are created in the image of God. You really have value. You are wonderfully made. I'm hoping that the Pope's visit says to them, maybe I am something worthwhile. The Pope came to visit me. The Pope came to see where I was.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: Joining me now, the deputy commissioner at that prison, Blanche Carney.

Blanche, thank you for being with us.

BLANCHE CARNEY, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER: Thank you.

HARLOW: I'm interested, when the Vatican accepted this invitation. A, what did they say to you about why he was coming? Because no Pope has visited any U.S. prison before. And how did you select the inmates that would get to meet with him?

CARNEY: Well, to first start off, the message of hope is well received. And as Pope Francis has stated many times before is to really minister and reach out to those who are disenfranchised and lost their way in hope. And when we've received and accepted the invitation, it really was to speak just to that. We have some inmates that are in our system charged with various crimes. But they have demonstrated through their ability to be receptive to programming services from a variety of providers and services we provide at the prisons that there is change in the heart. This is not just putting someone away in a cell, but really giving them access to programs and services. So we took a look at the inmates that, first of all, are receptive to those services that are actively involved in religious programming. And this is for a variety of faiths. And those inmates were selected for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

TAPPER: So let me ask you a question that's probably on the minds of some of our viewers.

HARLOW: Yes.

TAPPER: Some of these inmates are in prison for absolutely horrific crimes. Why should they have this amazing opportunity?

CARNEY: The opportunity of hope is extended to all humanity. Yes, there are variety of horrific charges that they have committed. But the hope is for every single individual as they receive it. And that's not inclusive of whether you're incarcerated or a free person. Hope is in the heart of each individual who is willing to receive.

HARLOW: One thing to build on that I thought a lot about especially after leaving the prison there. It is a maximum security prison. So you do have some of the inmates in there. I know some haven't been convicted yet, but some have been convicted of heinous crimes. Some say, you know, shouldn't the Pope be focusing on their victims instead of coming to the prison? Have you thought about that? What is your response to those people? CARNEY: Well, I think this is inclusive, and it's representative of

the world meeting of families. While the inmates will be receiving this special once-in-a-lifetime visit from the Pope, family members of the inmates are also involved. And they're going to be participating and attending that same visit. And this is inclusive because when someone is incarcerated, there are family members that are impacted, as well. And so, as people are returning from incarceration and reentering back to society, there has to be a connection with the family that is going to receive them, support them and help them, reintegrate successfully.

HARLOW: Deputy Commissioner Blanche Carney, thank you for this and thank you for welcoming the entire crew last week to the facility. I appreciate it.

CARNEY: Thank you.

TAPPER: Tens of thousands of people are gathering to see the Pope expected to arrive here in Philadelphia down in independence hall minutes from now. Our special coverage of Pope Francis' trip to Philadelphia continues right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:42:13] HARLOW: Welcome back to our continuing coverage of Pope Francis' historic visit to America. I'm Poppy Harlow.

TAPPER: And I'm Jake Tapper. We are just minutes away from the Pope's arrival at independence hall in downtown Philadelphia where he will deliver a speech to a crowd of tens of thousands and even bigger crowd is expected. Behind me for the Pope's address at the festival of family tonight.

Christian music star Matt Maher is one of the opening acts. This is the first time Maher has performed at a major event with the Pope. Let's take a listen here to him in the 2013 World Youth day in Rio, Brazil.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYING)

TAPPER: All right. Nice. And Matt Maher, five-time Grammy nominee joining us here now in Philadelphia. His latest album is entitled "Saints and Sinners." His just wrapped sound check behind us. He joins us in the booth.

You've got to be pretty excited. I guess this isn't the first time you've performed with the Pope.

MATT MAHER, CHRISTIAN MUSIC ARTIST: No, but it is a bit surreal every couple of years to play for more people than U2, you know. It is a bit bizarre. So you have to adjust things.

TAPPER: This is the second time you've done it with the Pope?

MAHER: Yes, I've been to about -- I've actually played it - World Youth Day happens every three years. I've been playing it since 2000. So I was at 2002 with Pope John Paul II.

TAPPER: Oh, wow.

MAHER: 2007 with Pope Benedict and then Rio.

HARLOW: With Pope Francis.

MAHER: With Pope Francis.

HARLOW: So you've had the opportunity to perform and spend time with all three of them.

MAHER: Yes. Well, I'm usually playing around them. I'm not really performing for them.

HARLOW: And frankly see the reaction of the people responding to them.

MAHER: Yes.

HARLOW: What is different now with this Pope?

MAHER: Well, I think this week, I mean, this whole world meeting of families is really the culmination of this whole visit. And I think this whole visit - you know, the thing about families, you don't get to choose your family. Whoever you are with, you're stuck together, and along the way, you've got to work things out because you're with each other. And I think this Pope, what's different about it, is I think he's trying to call everybody together and say, look, we're here, we are on this planet, we're with each other, we've got to learn to live together, we got to learn to love each other, you know, be about reconciliation, be about forgiveness.

And I think, you know, other Popes said the same thing. But I think this Pope has changed the tone so much, he's an expert communicator. I don't know it is his Jesuit background or his intellect or it's just a gift God's given him. This ability, I think, to communicate thing things simply and (INAUDIBLE) and with great passion and everybody kind of resonates with it.

TAPPER: And this Pope, obviously, as you know, some conservatives preferred benedict, frankly. They don't like the emphasis this Pope gives things. How do you feel? And how does the Christian music community feel? If I may designate you speak on behalf of them?

[15:45:09] MAHER: Usually, it's why I'm the token catholic in the Christian music and stuff. So you know, all my friends, they all love him who aren't catholic. And I think, once again, you know, John Paul is the mystic, Benedict's the teacher, you know. Francis is the heart. He speaks with the language of the heart, I think the language people can understand. I think it does, for some conservatives, they're like, well, wait, you weren't specific enough. And there's people like that in the church. But I think, the bigger thing is about, once again, I think the age and the time with which we're living, I think the leadership that he's exemplifying for the whole church is we've got to create space for everyone. We got to create a sense of dialogue where people - you know, Christianity is about a pilgrimage. About a journey from earth to heaven. It is not about just a singular moment. It's not about doing right things to be a good person. It's about knowing that God loves you and that he's chasing after your whole life, you know.

And I think American Catholicism, the legacy, not just of the people that the Holy Father's mentioned, like Dorothy Day and Catherine (INAUDIBLE), but also great literary giants, you know, token. God, the name's blanking on me, but southern gothic writer, Flannery O'Connor. These people, powerful Catholics, but they weren't perfect. And I think he's trying to create a church that is not about perfection, but it's about the journey from journeying from saint to sinner.

HARLOW: So how has his papacy so far affected your music, has it, what you've chosen to write about?

MAHER: Huge. The moment he was elected, the things he was saying resonated with me for a long time.

HARLOW: Like what?

MAHER: I think just the message of grace and forgiveness, the whole idea of that we need to not be a church that's inclusive or exclusive, sorry, but we need to be a church that pushes out to the peripheries. You know, I'm a musician. Musician and artist types were messy people. We're not perfect. And I think this whole notion of inviting people on a journey of faith that is just as much about the journey itself and not just the destination, I think that's authentic Christianity.

TAPPER: What are you going to perform?

MAHER: I'm going to be singing three songs tonight, one which is the one I performed in Rio, "Lord I need you," and then a song called "because he lives" sort of a modern adaption on a Bill Gater (ph) song. And then probably my favorite is the song called "hold us together." And it really is just a notion of that love is something that transcends politics, it transcends, you know, ideology and the things that, you know, we tend to stay tribalistic or in camped in. And I think the love of Jesus, it's spreads out to all areas and it invites everybody to be reminded that we're part of the human family.

TAPPER: Well, we're really looking forward to it. Best of luck out there.

MAHER: Thank you so much.

HARLOW: What a night it's going to be. Thank you. Nice to meet you. We appreciate it. And good to have you on.

The Pope expected to depart the seminary any minute. He's heading right there to independence hall. You're looking at live pictures provided by the national museum of American Jewish history where crowds have been waiting hours and hours just for a glimpse at the pontiff. We'll take you live to the people next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:52:27] TAPPER: Welcome back to CNN's live coverage of Pope Francis in America. I'm Jake Tapper in Philadelphia.

HARLOW: And I'm Poppy Harlow here beside Jake. What a day for Philadelphia, what a day for this country, what a week it has been. The Pope right now about to depart the St. Charles seminary to make his way to downtown Philadelphia and to the city's iconic independence hall. This is where the groundwork, of course, was laid for this nation of immigrants and it is where Pope Francis will again today talk about and confront today's struggle with immigration, both domestically and internationally.

Let's bring in CNN correspondent Miguel Marquez. He is live among the crowds in independence hall.

Miguel, what are they saying?

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, look, I don't want to brag, but I just want to say that we are in the best location to see the Pope, yes? That's where he's going to be coming down Market Street and it is going to take a right here on to fifth. And this is, I got to say, this is also the cutest corner I have seen. Look at this, this is Tania and Jackie. Jackie is from Congo. Tania is from Texas. I haven't figure that one out yet. She's been crying a little bit. And this is Veronica, correct?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Correct. This is Kate.

MARQUEZ: And Veronica is amazing because Pope John Paul II held you when you were a child in '79.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's correct, yes.

MARQUEZ: How'd that happen?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My parents went to Catholic University, brought me there, and he came over and he took me from my parents and held me and gave my dad a blessing.

MARQUEZ: So this is a special day.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is a very special day.

MARQUEZ: How excited are you?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So excited.

MARQUEZ: I want to talk to these guys who came all the way up from the Kentucky, the great state of Kentucky (INAUDIBLE). How excited are you guys?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Extremely excited.

MARQUEZ: Why, why is it so important? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, because he is our Holy Father and he is the

leader of our church, and he is also successor of St. Peter. So it is a huge deal for us to see him.

MARQUEZ: The church, you guys have grown up in a time when the church didn't have the best of times. How do you feel about this church and this Pope? How's he changed it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I mean, just everything. I love the Pope.

MARQUEZ: Very cool. Well, I expect you guys to be screaming the loudest when he comes by.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will.

MARQUEZ: Very, very excited crowds here. We're expecting him any time now, coming up very soon it looks like. So we'll be here. Back to you.

HARLOW: Yes. And you have a much better vantage point than we do from where you are. So enjoy it on the ground, Miguel. Thank you very much. That is the place to be.

We are moments away from the Pope being exactly where Miguel is standing. We'll bring you all of those live images, plus preview the Pope's speech.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:59:47] HARLOW: Hi, everyone. I'm Poppy Harlow.

TAPPER: And I'm Jake Tapper. We are joining you live from the Benjamin Franklin parkway in Philadelphia for continuing coverage of the visit of Pope Francis to America, specifically today to Philadelphia. The crowds are building, so is the anticipation.

HARLOW: Just moments from now a motorcade will deliver the Pope to the site of this hour's much, much anticipated speech.