For the second time this week, the White House South Lawn is the setting for a grand welcome ceremony. This time, it's for Chinese President Xi Jinping (shee jihn-peeng).

The ceremony for the Chinese leader looks similar to the one the White House held Wednesday for Pope Francis, but with a few notable exceptions.

The crowd is far smaller for Xi's welcome and the ceremony includes the traditional 21-gun salute.

The White House says it skipped the firing of weapons when Francis arrived in deference to the pope's humility.

President Barack Obama and Xi stood side by side as a military band played the national anthems of both countries.