“Many of you have emigrated to this country at great personal cost, but in the hope of building a new life. Do not be discouraged by whatever challenges and hardships you face,” the pope, standing before Independence Mall in Philadelphia, said Saturday afternoon.

“I ask you not to forget that, like those who came here before you, you bring many gifts to your new nation. You should never be ashamed of your traditions.”

The speech, which was punctuated by repeated applause, came after a jam-packed day of events for the pontiff, who arrived in Philadelphia on Saturday morning and kicked off the day with Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul amid high security. It is the third and final city on his historic U.S. trip — which marks the first time the Buenos Aires-born pope has been to America.