Detroit — Thousands of Catholics flocked to the East Coast to see Pope Francis, hoping to catch a glimpse of the pontiff and be a part of history.

Several Catholics from Michigan made the trip, each taking their own experiences and creating lasting memories of the first pope from the Americas making his first trip to the United States.

Michigan Catholic Conference President Paul Long was in the epicenter of American democracy when he heard Pope Francis address Congress in Washington, D.C, sitting in the gallery of the Capitol Building as a guest of U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Detroit).

“I think the pope spoke directly to the issues of Catholic social teaching, a broad spectrum of issues that really spoke to us on a national level,” Long told The Michigan Catholic. “I think he has a message of hope, bringing the common good to all, and that’s something people want to hear these days.”

Pope Francis discussed a wide range of issues before Congress, calling on political leaders to promote sustainability for the environment, create an economic system that cares for the poor, promoting the end of the arms trade and calling on congressional leaders to abolish the death penalty.

“I don’t think there was one issue that stuck with me in particular, but the fact that he covered so many issues that had to do with the dignity of human life from conception to natural death,” Long said. “There wasn’t one thing that really stood out, but they were all in themes of Catholic social teaching, covering a broad spectrum of issues.”

Jesuit Fr. Karl Kiser, president of University of Detroit Jesuit High School, was a guest of U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) and was struck by the political progress Catholics have made in America in the past 150 years.

“I was taken aback by the great respect everybody in the chamber gave Pope Francis,” Fr. Kiser said. “When they weren’t applauding, they were listening; you could hear a pin drop in the room. Given the history of the Catholic Church in America … we were once afraid to elect (John F.) Kennedy because he might take orders from the pope.”

Fr. Kiser said he was surprised to see the Holy See flag on the government buildings — something not usually done when other foreign heads of state visit — and the mentioning of American Catholics Thomas Merton and Dorothy Day during his address to Congress.

“I was surprised about Pope Francis mentioning Merton and Day, because a lot of people don’t know who they are,” Fr. Kiser said. “I’m hoping more people will look them up and read about their lives. Merton was a very spiritual man, and Day was a very pious Catholic when she converted. They are two great Catholic figures who weren’t perfect, but what mattered was how much they loved.”

Celebrating Catholics in America’s history was a feature of the pope’s visit, including the canonization of St. Junipero Serra, a Spanish Franciscan friar who brought Catholicism to Spanish-ruled California in the 18th century. Pope Francis canonized St. Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the campus of The Catholic University of America in Washington, the first-ever canonization on American soil.

Kent County-based 17th Circuit Court Judge Dennis Leiber was at the Mass as a representative of the Grand Rapids Serra Club, an organization of lay Catholics who live their lives and devote their time toward the advancement of the faith, especially the promotion of vocations.

“For me, it was an uplifting and powerful experience,” Leiber said. “Serra brought Christianity to the New World. He was a priest that had a very profound impact on all our private and personal lives, and we are very proud to bear the name of Serra.”

Leiber said Serra Club members from all over the world were in attendance along with thousands of other Catholics.

“It was a scene of expectancy; we could hear the pope coming and he was very visible,” he said. “The route was intended for him to be as visible as possible. I talked to a lot of volunteers and police, and they were abundantly friendly and helpful. There was just a feeling of friendship and hospitality.”

During the ceremony, Leiber noted the Holy Father was everything he was expected to be, and more.

“He was a lot taller than I thought,” Judge Leiber said. “There is just an aura about him. You read about it, you hear about it, but when you see him in person, there is just this sense of calm that overcomes you. There is an aura of gentleness and humility about him, and you can just see that when you see him. It’s an amazing experience that I and my fellow Serra Club members will never forget.”

After addressing Congress, Pope Francis left for New York City, where he presided over Mass at Madison Square Garden and visited the 9/11 memorial.

The pontiff then travelled to Philadelphia for the primary reason for his visit: the World Meeting of Families.

Katie Brandt, a member of Holy Family Parish in Novi, traveled by bus to see Pope Francis, whom she feels many can connect with on a personal level.

“It’s important for me to see this pope because I felt a connection to Pope Francis since they day he was elected by the cardinals,” Brandt said. “Since his election, I’ve been reading about Pope Francis and why he chose the name Francis, his background.”

Brandt and her family are Catholic converts, and she thinks Pope Francis’ appeal to so many people lies in his honesty and candor.

“He’s just really honest and real, he’s not using his position for his own sake, but he’s here to serve,” Brandt said. “He says first and foremost he is a sinner, trying to get to heaven like everybody else. He’s the right guy at the right time for the Church, because he’s just like us.”

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—Annie Schunior of the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Office of Digital Media contributed to this report