Obama's day: Pope Francis

President Obama officially welcomes Pope Francis to the White House on Wednesday with a formal ceremony and a private meeting.

Thousands of guests will gather on the South Lawn for the papal welcome ceremony at 9 a.m. ET. Crowds began lining up around the White House complex well before 4 a.m.

Both President Obama and Pope Francis are expected to speak at the event.

Obama and other dignitaries greeted Pope Francis after his plane landed Tuesday afternoon at the Andrews air base in Maryland.

Wednesday's private meeting in the Oval Office will cover topics that range from climate change to human rights.

The White House said the president and pope will also discuss "caring for the marginalized and the poor; advancing economic opportunity for all; serving as good stewards of the environment; protecting religious minorities and promoting religious freedom around the world; and welcoming and integrating immigrants and refugees into our communities."

Pope Francis will depart the White House in the late morning for other events in Washington, D.C.

The only other event listed on Obama's schedule for today is a private lunch with Vice President Biden.