The greeter

Obama held hand-lettered sign that read “Francis”: Arriving in the U.S. on Tuesday, Pope Francis was greeted at the airport by President Barack Obama — an unusual sign of respect for a foreign dignitary.

The red-carpet reception continues today, when Vice President Joe Biden will wash the popemobile on the White House lawn.

Old as Stones: Keith Richards says the Rolling Stones plan to record a new album next year, the septuagenarian rockers’ first since 2005.

The Stones could make the record sooner, but Mick Jagger is adamant about finding a studio that offers an early-bird special and 10 percent discount for AARP members.

Don’t know much about history: On this day in 1806, the Lewis and Clark expedition returned to St. Louis, ending a journey home from the Pacific Northwest that took six months.

That’s only a little longer than it takes to drive on I-5 from Everett to Seattle when the president of China is in town (Page A1).

— Mark Carlson, Herald staff

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