with a good afternoon to all of you, welcome back to "weekends with alex witt." a live look at the benjamin franklin parkway. known as the grandest street in philadelphia. all the grandeur by the million-plus expected people all waiting to listen to the pope deliver his mass there about 4:00 p.m. this afternoon. it's the pope's final day in the united states. an eventful one. the pope meeting with victims of sex abuse. in remarks this morning the pope saying he met with individuals and the church will be held accountable for its members' actions. >> translator: god weeps. for the sexual abuse of children, these cannot be

maintained in secret. and i commit to a careful oversight to ensure that youth are protected and that all responsible will be held accountable. >> shortly after that, the pope met with prisoners at a correctional facility in philadelphia, engaging with inmates and offering compassion. >> translator: i stand among you a pastor, a shepherd, and above all as your brother. to share in your plight and make it my own. i am here that we may join in prayer and bring before our god everything that causes us pain. but to also bring everything

that gives us hope. >> so for more on the pope's visit to the prison, let's go to anne thompson. i want to talk about both things. two events today. this pope does not shy away from controversy. he's meeting with inmates. he's talking about the sex abuse scandal within the catholic church and even broadened that out to people that are victims of sex abuse by family members, teachers and the luke. talk about the tenor of this pope and how he seems to be somewhat fearless as he engages in different topics. >> he is fearless. he is willing to take on any issue, it seems, and he's been criticized, in fact, about his attitude regarding sexual abuse victims. there are critics who say he has not done enough in the 2 1/2 years of his papacy. today was not just symbolic. a very important meeting for both pope francis and the church. as you said, he met with three women and two men, not all were

victims of priests. some were victims of teachers. some of family members. but he sat down and listened to their stories, which is very important for any victim to be able to tell the pope their stories. when he has met with sexual abuse victims before at the vatican, he met with them individually. there wasn't just enough time today so he had to meet with them as a group. what he told the bishops and then made the announcement at the meeting with the bishops and he had taken those stories into his heart and made the promise on behalf of the bishops that the church would hold everyone accountable. and that's very important because survivors have complained for many years that the church they may have held the actual priest who did the abusing accountable but they didn't do enough to hold his boss and his boss above that accountable. the bosses who moved those priests from parish to parish, even though they were aware of the abuse. it's an important step but by no

means the end of this story. >> absolutely not. with regard to those he met with in the correctional facility, many of whom at some point will be able to get out and try rehabilitation and move their lives forward and not return to that place. look at him. we're looking at him embracing these men. what kind of effect is that going to have on men like this so ostracized from society? >> he militaet with men and womd greeted every one of them individually which shows that this isn't a photo op for francis. this isn't a drive-by. this is an important part of his ministry. and what he said is i stand here as your shepherd, your pastor and your brother. and what i understand is that the important thing here is that you want to get better. you want to reconcile yourself with society. and that is important. prison should not be a place where someone is warehoused but

a place where someone actually learns the tools they need to do to rehabilitate themselves and get back into society. it's a very important symbol and very important visit because we often, once someone goes to prison, as a society, we forget about them until they come out. what francis is saying by his -- by going to a prison is that we cannot forget about these people. that they have it -- while they may have been physically removed from society, they still are an important part of society because some day they'll come back into society and we have to make sure we prepare them for that. >> anne thompson in philadelphia, thank you for that. still ahead today, pope francis' final event of his tour in the united states. a mass before an expected crowd of at least 1 million people on the benjamin franklin parkway. there's nbc's claudio lavagna in the bird's-eye view. he sees the gathering crowd

below. let's talk about what you are seeing from your vantage point. what can we expect there this afternoon? >> the mass is about three hours away, alex. you can see behind me, the place is filling up already. the party has already started here. there is a pre-mass show that lasts about three or four hours. it started at 12:00, and there is a great lineup of musbriicia singers. we heard an amazing soprano sing a beautiful song. people are gearing up for that big final event which is the mass at 4:00 and will last about two hours. i don't know whether there is a million people already but certainly it will be close to that. >> you mentioned the audio there. we can hear some music coming through your microphone there. how clear is that? because when you talk about a million people, do you expect that crowd to extend to right under where you are standing?

>> well, i expect it to extend a lot further down than this. yesterday to get to that stage over there, i walked from a convention center in philadelphia, which is 20 blocks away, and the place was packed for all the 20 blocks. it is much further away from here. >> thanks for that perspective. down amongst the crowd, let's get another perspective. kasie hunt is joining us from there. a lot of colorful guests and people enthusiastinenthusiastic. what's happening there? >> good afternoon. things are tense here at this place where we started our day. these people have been here longer than almost anyone else on the benjamin franklin parkway. they've erected between them and the pope this white tent that's caused shouts of move the tent and let the people see the pope. it may have been erected in case of rain. i'm back with some people we

talked to earlier. i know it's gotten a little rocky here. >> yeah, we are at mass with the pope. there's only 10,000 people going to be in this area right now and we are one of those people. and that's amazing. sure there's a tent up but that's not what this is about. this is about the eucharist and our experience with god and not about our experience with the pope. it's more than that. >> you came quite a long way to be here. >> we drove from kansas city. it's a two-day drive here and one day drive back. we got up at 4:00 in the morning. >> to be here all day. >> there you have it. we'll see how it works out. they are putting the hard sell on some of the security people here. we'll see what happens next. >> thank you, kasie. we're going to talk to security right now. just like we saw during the pope's visit to d.c. and new york, philadelphia implemented unprecedented security measures for this pope's visit. many of the highways and bridges

leading into the city have been shut down. parking bans have been put into effect. spectators have had to pass through metal detecta aors and screenings. sknroining me is the former director of the secret service. when you look at the kind of security measures needed to be put in place for an event like this. you're talking 1 million to 2 million people that need to be secured for their own sake, as well as for that of the pope, how much planning goes into that? how daunting a task is it? >> it's a massive undertaking, obviously. and the day that the vatican accepted the invitation to come to the united states, the secret service immediately began the planning for that visit. and the secretary johnson from the department of homeland security designated it as a national special security event which gives a great deal of authority to the secret service

in planning for the security for these past few days. it also brings in the power of the entire federal government to bring to bear on the security for the pope's visit, and it's not just the security for the pope himself. it's, as you said, it's security for all of those individuals that are joining that. and the big challenge really is, how do you balance that security and at the same time allow the pope to go about his business? it's a huge challenge, and i have to say i'm very proud of what i've seen the men and women of the secret service doing up to this point. they've done a marvelous job. >> ralph, can you answer how you balance that successfully when this pope will want to stop a car? he wants to drive with the windows down and stop and touch people at any given time. >> that's a huge challenge, unlike the president. normally is an armored

limousine, and most of the times that the president decides to make a stop, it's a planned spontaneity. i was with the pope john paul ii in denver back in '92. and it is a difficult balancing act to strike because it's a highly emotional crowd. and the pope, you know, wants to be out amongst the crowd. the planning has to include all the scenarios that could happen so that you're ready and prepared to deal with them. but i'm not saying it's easy. it's very difficult. and it's a huge challenge for those men and women to pull that off. and you are going to have high ground coverage, people in the crowds, you'll have just every asset available to you you're going to deploy. >> it's good to hear you're proud of what you're seeing so far. thanks for joining us from washington. still to come, i'll speak with congressman john lewis on what it was like to hear the

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earlier this morning, pope francis visited philadelphia's largest prison where he offered words of solidarity to about 100 prisoners. >> translator: it's painful when you see prison systems which are not concerned to care for wounds to soothe pain, to offer new possibilities. it is painful when we see people who think that only some othes s

need to be cleansed, purified and do not recognize their weariness, pain and wounds are also the weariness, pain and wounds of a society as a whole. >> joining me, the reverend serene jones and joe watkins, a republican strategist whom we normally have on to talk about politics. we'll have you wear your hat as pastor of christ evangelical lutheran church in philadelphia. your reaction to the pope's message inside that correctional facility? >> i just love the fact that he's getting in the trenches. biblically, jesus wasn't with the rich and famous. he was working with the homeless, inflicted and imprisoned. that's where the pope is, in the

trenches. >> one of the students you work with, sing sing prison. that's where i believe mercy college has put that together, but they are now -- your group has expanded. is it vassar, mercy -- >> nia, our first aid school. >> you have a couple hundred students now in correctional facilities. talk about the facilities and classes and academics you are able to offer and how you hope to have these men and women leave with. >> we started with just maximum security facilities but as they began to get closer to going home and they become eligible, they wanted them to not sacrifice staying in a maximum security facility. we used it to launch our own programs. we're in three mediums and two maximum security facilities using all the men and women that as well been through it to help run it until they go home. >> do you find the inmates to be good students? >> amazing.

i was really worried about not having internet access as a challenge academically. many students then go back to work in graduate school and they do fantastic. >> that's extraordinary. joe, you visited the cromfrom hold facility. >> we went there new year's day to minister to the -- i was impressed with the mayor at the time. the best way to start the new year. he believed, as i do and as this great pope does, that the prisoneprison ers need to hear this good news. and we're going to be judged ultimately on whether or not we remembered people who were sick in in prison and visited with them. this pope is setting a marvelous example by going to this particular prison. i've had some members of my church who have served at thus correctional facility. it's meaningful to me the pope took time to go there. it's a correctional facility in the northeastern part of the

city of philadelphia. it's primarily african-american and latino. and it's a tough place. >> for sure. and serene, you said something during the commercial that we started discussing. the reality is that you brought up the fact that jesus christ himself was a criminal? >> jesus did not just identify with and be present to criminals in jesus' day, he was condemned as a criminal by the state and religious authorities. and even on the cross in that story he refused to turn away from the two criminals crucified next to him. this pope said something important. he said i am not just your friend and brother. i am making your burden mine. the vulnerable he's turning all of our eyes toward are not just vulnerable out there. we identify with them he's saying. >> the identification with this pope, for the student inmates,

do you think the greater takeaway will be of an academic nature or -- i don't want to say necessarily spiritual but something that will propel them harder from within? >> the work being done in all these prisons, our commissioner is doing an amazing job at combining the academic work with this redemptive nature. and that's happening with the underpinnings of spirituality. whether it's muslim, buddhist. there are all these different religions going on. his job is to make them all work. he's putting in the educational component with the spiritual underpinning. >> i'm going to have to take a quick break. you and joe are standing by, but joe, appreciate it. the pope's outreach to millennials coming up.

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pope. he's also the pope for the next generation. pope francis is wildly popular among millennials. the pontiff is also celebrated for his penchant for mingling with youth and making time during his whirlwind trip to connect with young catholics. chris hale is the co-founder of "millennial" and joins me from philadelphia. chris, what is it about this pope's message that resonates so well with young people? >> pope francis said since the beginning, no to a society that excludes. exclusion is a value young people in particular want to fight against. that message in particular has lifted up his message among young people. he wants a church where everyone is welcome. the church is not a toll house. it's the house of a father where everyone is welcome with all their problems. this message resonates with young people. >> what is it about this

generation? if you can look beyond the catholic element here. is it a natural progression of inclusivity with generations as they develop? >> no, i think it's something that does stick out, particularly among millennials. one thing we've seen in the millennial generation is the inclusion of the lgbt community. when pope francis said who am i to judge in july 2013 he set a new course. a church that excludes the lgbt community is a church without a family. he's able to lift up family values without bashing gay people. this is something definitely that's particular for young people that likes this pope. >> do you think young people are ready for the pope's call to action? do you think his reach is limited to catholics? >> no. this is a pope of everyone. i find that pro-choice women like this pope. i find people that don't practice faith like this pope.

this pope may be more popular among non-catholics than catholics. he has a reach to everyone. he is the holy father of the entire world. >> pick up on that about his inclusion and outreach to women. the way he's acknowledged the nuns in the church. it's been so special for them. >> it's been remarkable to see -- in a very short period of time undoing an attitude towards women religious in this country that have been cultivated by previous popes. with his actions toward women, i think women have great hope that he'll take further steps n address the further issues in catholicism about women in priesthood. >> any chance they could go the way of the episcopalian church. they have female leaders of the church who do every possible service within the church. is there a chance catholicism could go that route? >> if the pope is going to

remain true to his message of inclusion, universal equality, then yes there's a chance. i truly feel that there is a powerful spirit at work in this man. and you cannot in the end avoid this question if you'll pursue the directions that he's going. he's laying the groundwork for it. >> chris, what about the fact this pope is so popular with twitter? he's got over 7 million followers. is this now the pope who we'll be calling the one for the internet age? >> absolutely. my good friend michael writes for "the boston globe." his ability to communicate messages short, communeicable and accessible puts him in touch with the people. every one of jesus' beatitudes was less than 140 characters. able to communicate big ideas in small spaces is a big idea for young people. >> are you saying that jesus christ was prophetic when it comes to wait twitter?

just 140 characters? >> yes, for sure. >> what about the lasting impact on attracting young people back to the pews? it's one thing to have a certain faith to go out and demonstrate that and to witness in your communities. but to get back to church, 11:00 a.m. on a sunday morning, how about that? >> this pope has the ability to love people unconditionally. he loves people without conditions. no matter who you are or where you're from, he has the capacity to love you. it's a great way to call people back to church. i think you'll see perhaps more catholics and even non-catholics taking their faith more seriously and coming back to church. >> okay. this pope loves them even if they don't go back to church which is probably the best way to get them back into church because they experienced a church that excluded them. >> you make a very good point. >> chris hale, i'll bid farewell to you. enjoy the mass you'll be attending in a few hours.

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♪ visitors are pouring on to the benjamin franklin parkway as we give you a live look at the crowds. we're being told more than a million are expected for the final mass of pope francis' trip to america. it begins in 2 1/2 hours from now. we'll have that covered for you. stephanie gosk is right there amongst the crowds. she's been talking security and other things. if i recall correctly, this area you are now was all in lockdown yesterday? getting to where you were yesterday is a lot different than today? >> that's right. there's been a change. they've shrunk that area that was the secure zone. all of these people coming down will have to go through security

checks. as we get closer to the mass, we aren't seeing this group let up at all. it's just as crowded as it was before. and those lines at the checkpoints were getting really long. officials made a quick change. each of the checkpoints were designated for people with tickets or without. they've combined that. so anyone coming in here, whether they have a ticket or not can choose any checkpoint. that way it may be a bit more efficient. those lines are rail loeally lo. we were told by people waiting in them they waited for at least an hour. you can imagine these people now facing really long waits. but amazingly, still keeping smiles on their faces. >> stephanie, if they leave that secure area, they can't get back in, right? >> if they leave the secure area, as long as you are willing to wait in the line again you

can certainly leave the secure area. but this area here, these people are not going to get very close to the pope. some are maybe hoping he might come through here. because this is no longer a secure zone, they'll not see him. >> don't say that too loudly. good to see you. >> right after this break congressman john lewis on what it was like to hear pope francis highlight selma while addressing the members of congress. this bale of hay cannot be controlled. when a wildfire raged through elkhorn ranch, the sudden loss of pasture became a serious problem for a family business. faced with horses that needed feeding and a texas drought that sent hay prices soaring, the owners had to act fast. thankfully, mary miller banks with chase for business. and with greater financial clarity and a relationship built for the unexpected, she could control her cash flow, and keep the ranch running. chase for business.

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in the first ever papal address to congress, pope francis singled out an event in american history. >> i think of the march which

martin luther king led from selma to montgomery 50 years ago as part of the campaign to fulfill his dream of full civil and political rights for african-americans. that dream continues to inspire us all, and i am happy that america continues to be, for many, a land of dreams. >> joining me now, congressman john lewis who marched with martin luther from selma to

montgomery. we saw you there listening to the pope, but what was it like? what were you thinking? what were you feeling? >> well, i love this pope. i love his message of hope, peace and love. and when he spoke those words and just listened to the words just now, it made me feel so blessed. not lucky, but blessed. it just moved me, and i was crying deeply inside and i'm crying now. i didn't want to cry in front of my colleagues, and i just tried to hold it in. i think this pope brought something very special to members of congress, to the chamber, and they're still bringing something very special to america. and it's my hope that we will be a better people, better members of congress, better citizens of

the world, because we came in contact with this unbelievable man. pope francis. >> i think there are a lot of us who would say amen to that, sir. we'd appreciate that sentiment as well in so many ways. in addition to martin luther king, the pope also singled out thomas burton as one of four great americans. i understand that also had a great meaning to you. >> when he mentioned thomas murton, i was moved also because one of the books that i had in my backpack on march 7th, 1965, when we attempted to cross the bridge in selma was by thomas burton. i admired him. his writings, his sense of contemplation and meditation, but also he was someone that many of us as young people who

were involved in the civil rights movement identify with. i admired his spirit, his sense of caring. >> what about earlier today when the pope spoke with inmates at a philadelphia prison this morning. i want to play part of that and have you react on the other side. >> translator: i stand among you a pastor, a shepherd, but above all, as your brother, to share in your plight and make it my own. >> the pope speaking there with the disenfranchised, those people that have committed crimes and been put away. what's your reaction to what he said to them? >> it is so beautiful and so powerful. and i think as religious leaders, as teachers, as elected officials, we have to identify with the plight of those that are suffering behind bars. and trying to reach out to them

and recognize their own sense of dignity. the pope is real. he is real. he is human. help us all become a little more human that if the pope can reach out to those that are bound in prison, what can we do? >> and what about congress, sir? you expressed your hope that the sentiments that our elected officials will take away from having heard the pope will last. how long do you hope they'll last and do you have confidence they will? >> it is my hope, and it is my prayer that the spirit and thouthe blessing that the pope instill in the members of the congress will last for a very, very long time. that we be much better as

members. that we will call each other brothers and sisters and colleagues and engage in what the pope kept saying. dialogue. not be afraid to work together to compromise and serve the common good. >> well, representative john lewis, it's always an honor and special to have a conversation with you. thank you for joining us. >> thank you so much. up next, we're getting word of an unexpected stop on the pope's schedule this afternoon. we'll give you those details coming up. with my moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, the possibility of a flare was almost always on my mind. thinking about what to avoid, where to go... and how to deal with my uc. to me, that was normal. until i talked to my doctor. she told me that humira helps people like me get uc under control and keep it under control when certain medications haven't worked well enough.

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criticism from some conservatives who said the guests were in opposition to catholic teachings. among those invited was mathea, a nun and gene robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the episcopal church. bishop robinson, with a welcome to you, what did you think about the criticism of your being invited and what message did you take away in what you heard from the pope? >> it was a bit of a temptest in a tea pot. i was so honored to be there and be in the presence of this quite remarkable human being. what i saw this pope doing both that morning and ever since that morning, he's doing the two things that all of us who are ordained are called to do. one is to comfort the afflicted and the other is to afflict the comfortable. we see him comforting the

afflicted, welcoming children and those who have been victims of abuse, and this morning we see him talking with prisoners. but also he wanted to bring a message, stirring the consciences of those of us who are quite comfortable, whether that be around climate change or income inequality or our willingness to take in those who have been displaced and are now refugees. so i think he's done both of those things. >> bishop robinson, do you think this air of inclusion is something that's because of this particular man, the individual, pope francis, or is it an evolution you sense may be happening within the catholic church as a whole? >> let's remember, i can say this as a person of faith. let's remember that god is in the middle of this and god is leading this pope as god is leading our church. and i think we can prepare ourselves perhaps for some

surprises. let's also remember this pope is the captain of a very big ship. and it's a very big ship to turn around. and he can't do himself. so what part of what he's doing is signaling the college of cardinals and rome that change may be in store for them as well. >> well, bishop gene robinson, thank you for your time. we appreciate that from and i want to bring our viewers up to date on the pope's movements this afternoon because we have gotten this last-minute word he's going to make an unscheduled stop at st. joseph's university in pennsylvania, just apparently down the road from the seminary where he has been staying. he will be stopping to visit a statue which contains a quote which reads there exists a rich complementary between the rich and the jewish people that allows us to help one another mind the riches of god's word. joining us is reverend sam

cruise from union theological seminary. what do you think of this pope? he makes these unscheduled stops and it's almost as if he's not able to be bridled. he goes forward in any direction and gets embraced for it. >> as a latino man, the latin american community is extremely excited about this pope. he's so different than the two previous popes. i remember as a young man that john paul went to latin america. first he went to poland and in poland he was able to support the solidarity movement there, but when he went to latin america, he said you people need to pray. he didn't endorse the movement for social justice that was taking place in latin america, but this pope being from latin america is supporting all of us who have been struggling for years to be noticed. latin america has been ignored for years. with this pope it's difficult it do. we're excited the south is preaching to the north.

the united states carries around the bully pulpit often reaching in underwear. this pope is saying you're concerned about political prisoners in iran, political prisoner this is different parts of the world. well, you also have political prisoners, and he's been speaking to president obama about car rows rivera who has been in prison for 34 years just because he wants self-determination for the people of puerto rico. >> as anne thompson was corroborating earlier, he's pretty fearless with what he addresses. i wanted to ask you about this visit to st. joseph's. you know the university -- >> i don't live that far away and the seminary where the pope is staying is right down the street from st. joseph's university. he's such a good-hearted person this pope, to make an unscheduled stop -- >> which by the way cut into his down time. this is a 78-year-old pontiff who kept up a schedule that would make us exhausted. >> i know the students and faculty there are just thrilled

to have him, and it's a catholic university but at the same time there are a lot of non-catholic students who attend st. joe's. just really a great thing. it gives them a chance to see him. >> pick up on that, serena, the nonconnecticut li non-catholic schools in the catholic schools. i nund statistic to be surprising. >> what we lost track of is the long history of education that has been ecumenical in its scope. he'll be talking to jewish students and muslim students and atheist millennial students. it's one more example of his reaching out to the millennials in this sense of you a then tis the and to wanted to listen. that he would go to a catholic university that is as embracing and open as st. joseph's is really exciting. >> the fact the pope is here for this world congress of families that's being held in philadelphia, let's take a listen to what he said this week about families. >> i cannot hide my concern for

the family which is threatened perhaps as never before from within and without. fundamental relations have been called into question as the very basis of marriage and the family. i can only reiterate the importance about all the richness and the beauty of family life. >> it does come down to families. parting thoughts, sam cruz? >> i'm grateful for the aspir ration that he continues to give all of us who are fighting for justice. >> and he's the people's pope and i'm grateful for all of the people he embraces. >> he's a great shepherd to the flock. >> that's a wonderful way to put it. thank you all for being here this hour. for all of you, there will be much more pope coverage of the visit so philadelphia.

it will happen right here on msnbc later today. coming up next, "meet the press." chuck todd has two interviews, one with hillary clinton and the other with carly fiorina. before we go, we want to bring you a few of the reactions from people this week. >> his message is very clear. he's a people person. he's for all of us, and he is down to earth. >> i got it see him so close that it was a blessing. >> you only have one shot in your life to actually see the pope in person. >> the second my eyes called him, i cried. >> i got to shake his hand and it felt like an energy of light just went through my body. >> everyone has the same

wonderful feeling that this is something very special. it's a holy, holy man. >> and i kissed his ring, and he put his hands on my forehead and he blessed me and he looked at me. i know i will walk again because of this. >> holy father, we love you! >> just drove past me a little while ago. i could feel the strength coming on me. >> he spoke to me, and i spoke to him in spanish. >> he also touched me on the head like this so now i'm going to tell my mom never to wash my hair again. >> my wife is jewish and i'm

protestant but we have respect for his humanity, for his message of peace.

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because active investment management isn't reactive. it's active. that's the power of active management. this sunday the two leading women running for president. first, hillary clinton. her e-mail, those sinking poll numbers and questions about whether joe biden will jump in. my one on one with the former secretary of state. then, carly fiorina. her debate performance catapulted her into contention. >> i think women all over the country heard clearly what mr. trump said. >> now, how does she deal with the pressures of being a possible front-runner? carly fiorina joins me live. also our latest presidential poll numbers for both parties. where do the races stand this morning? plus, who saw this coming? >> i'd say they were shocked. >> john boehner's stunning si