Story ID: 
Atlantic’s Philly FBO Hosts Papal Goodbye
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: The Pontiff gave his final blessing during his U.S. visit from the airstair at Atlantic Aviation's Philadelphia FBO.
Word Count: 171
As Pope Francis wrapped up his historic first visit to the U.S. on Sunday, his farewell address before heading back to Rome and the Vatican took place in one of the hangars of Atlantic Aviation's Philadelphia International Airport facility. Among the 500 VIPs and volunteers present at the event were U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill; Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf; Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter; business leaders; and numerous high-ranking members of the clergy.

The venue was selected by the World Meeting of Families, an international event that takes place every three years and was hosted this year by Philadelphia. After his speech, in which he thanked all involved in the preparations for his visit, the Pontiff met privately with the Biden family. As he boarded his American Airlines flight chartered by the U.S. Conference of Bishops, dubbed Shepherd One, Pope Francis gave his final blessings from the top of the FBO’s airstair and bid goodbye to Philadelphia and the U.S.