"The plane has landed. Anticipation is at a fever pitch. As soon as the Alitalia plane landed at the Air Force base, the crowd erupted in applause. There are dozens of high school students and young Catholics from various parishes throughout the United States who are excited about this encounter, giving this the feel of a mini-World Youth Day. The journalists have been waiting for three hours and many are speculating about whether the Holy Father will give a speech. This hasn't been announced, of course, but we also we also weren't expecting a statement about sex abuse to journalists on the plane. With Pope Benedict XVI, we've learned to expect the unexpected!"

As it happens, hear more from David Naglieri on Salt + Light TV and streaming online. The Pope has now left the plane to cheering crowds, both on the airfield and even here in the media centre.