In pictures: US upbeat ahead of Pope's visit

Pope Francis will visit the United States on September 23, 2015 and many activities are taking place in preparation for the historic visit.

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Small Holy Water Bottles with the image of Pope Francis are selling at the Catholic University of America, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, gift shop on September 3, 2015, prior to the visit to of the Pope on September 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/PAUL J. RICHARDS


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Rosaries with the image of Pope Francis are selling at the Catholic University of America, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, gift shop on September 3, 2015, prior to the visit to of the Pope on September 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/PAUL J. RICHARDS

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A man prays as Mass end at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, September 3, 2015, in Washington, DC, prior to the visit to of the Pope September 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/PAUL J. RICHARDS


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Two women have a friend take their photo after Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception with life-size images of Pope Francis on September 3, 2015, in Washington, DC, prior to the visit to of the Pope on September 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/PAUL J. RICHARDS



A man leaving Mass at Catholic University of America, in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, has a friend take his photo with several life-size images of Pope Francis on September 3, 2015, in Washington, DC, prior to the visit to of the Pope on September 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/PAUL J. RICHARDS



A Catholic monk has huis photo taken with a life-size image of Pope Francis after Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on September 3, 2015, in Washington, DC, prior to the visit to of the Pope on September 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/PAUL J. RICHARDS


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Priests attend Mass at Catholic University of America, in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, September 3, 2015, in Washington, DC, prior to the visit to of the Pope on September 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/PAUL J. RICHARDS


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A priest gives communion to another priest during Mass at Catholic University of America, in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, on September 3, 2015, in Washington, DC, prior to the visit to of the Pope on September 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/PAUL J. RICHARDS


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A man leaving Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, has a friend take his photo with several life-size images of Pope Francis on September 3, 2015, in Washington, DC, prior to the visit to of the Pope on September 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/PAUL J. RICHARDS


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Catholic University of America student Dan Pezzola loads a life sized image of Pope Francis into a van, after an afternoon of fundraising for charities, near the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on September 3, 2015, in Washington, DC, prior to the visit to of the Pope on September 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/PAUL J. RICHARDS


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Crosses are selling at the Catholic University of America, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, gift shop on September 3, 2015, in Washington, DC, prior to the visit to of the Pope on September 23, 2015. AFP PHOTO/PAUL J. RICHARDS


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