Memorable moments from Pope Francis's visit
After months of preparation, Pope Francis completed his visit to Philadelphia for the 2015 World Meeting of Families on Sunday. Missed it because you took part in the down the shore papal exodus (shore businesses thank you, by the way).
Pope Francis departed for Philadelphia from New York City at 8:40 a.m. Friday, but Papal pilgrims started lining up to greet him at 5 a.m. at Philadelphia International Airport. That was nothing compared to those who started lining up at Independence Mall and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway 10 to 12 hours before Francis was set to arrive.
But even before Francis got to Philadelphia, everyone was in the papal spirit, including Rep. Bob Brady who took Pope Francis's water (wooder?) glass from the pontiff's address to Congress and, of course, local dogs.
Pope Francis arrived at Philadelphia International Airport at 9:40 a.m. to the sounds of "Gonna Fly Now," the theme from Rocky (leading to the meme you never knew you wanted of Francis-as-Italian Stallion), courtesy of Bishop Shanahan High School in Downington. On his way out, Pope Francis stopped to bless 10-year-old Michael Keating, the son of Shanahan band leader Chuck Keating. Keating has cerebral palsy. "I can't believe it," said Michael's grandmother Johanna Keating. "God planned it this way." Christopher Garcia, 10, has severe cerebral palsy. Angel Zavaleta, 8, who has TARP syndrome were also blessed.
Meanwhile, people started taking advantage of carless Philadelphia, including populating the deserted Ben Franklin Bridge that closed Friday night at 10 p.m. Bikers rode through the streets of Philadelphia for the Pope Ride. Jim Kenney was a fan. Inquirer architecture critic Inga Saffron said, "Closing up the streets opened up the town."
Francis headed to the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul for a private mass, in which he discussed the history of the church and praised Saint Katherine Drexel. "I would like to think, though, that the history of the Church in this city and state is really a story not about building walls, but about breaking them down," Francis said. Former Governor Tom Corbett, who met the pope last year, was in attendance.
Finally, the 78-year-old Francis was given a chance to rest. Alas, Mayor Michael Nutter's car broke down on they way to the seminary. Whoops.
If you left town, you missed out on a delicious opportunity: You could get a table at virtually an restaurant in the city. Restaurateurs said that business was down severely. "This affected business worse than Hurricane Sandy. The city scared all of our customers away. We have virtually no reservations. This is unnecessary overkill. What should have been a feeling of family and community was turned into a police and military operation," said restaurant Stephen Starr.
Apples were persona non grata in the security zones. Why was this seemingly harmless fruit? They could be used as projectiles and not allowed on the festival grounds (oranges and bananas were also banned for those keeping score at home). Daily News columnist Helen Ubiñas did her part to help the Papal pilgrims.
So what happens if you, say, happen to get a kidney while the pope is in town? Deborah Husmann, 62, found out firsthand when she cut her camping trip short in the Jersey Pinelands to head to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (with the help of the New Jersey State Police) to receive her kidney. Four transplants took place the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
There's no rushing Pope Francis when there's babies to be kissed. By unofficial count, Francis kissed 14 babies, and four youngsters (including one in a Batman shirt) during his two day stay in Philadelphia. Here's a sampling of the punims smooched by the pontiff:
- Jacob Almarez
- Luke Uebbing
- Matthew Naula
Pope Francis made his way to Independence Mall for the first of his public speaking engagements. He was preceded by Mayor Michael Nutter, Governor Tom Wolf and Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput (it was Chaput's birthday on Saturday). Francis spoke about religious liberty and immigration, echoing many of Chaput's sentiments. "All too often, those most in need of our help are unable to be heard. You are their voice, and many of you have faithfully made their cry heard. In this witness, which frequently encounters powerful resistance, you remind American democracy of the ideals for which it was founded, and that society is weakened whenever and wherever injustice prevails."
There was an underlying LGBT presence throughout the weekend. In his Independence Mall speech, Nutter praised equality for all, including the LGBT community (he name-checked his mentor, former City Councilman John C. Anderson). Margie Winters, the former religious education director at Waldron Mercy Academy, spoke about her firing and the Catholic church's acceptance of gays and lesbians at Saturday's LGBT Family Papal Picnic.
The Festival of Families began in full force as Pittsburgh-born and raised America's Got Talent alum Jackie Evancho who kicked off the evening with performances such as "When You Wish Upon a Star" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight." Christian musician Matt Maher was up next; he'd performed for Pope Francis once before. Comedian Jim Gaffigan followed, although he did not endear himself to the local crowd when joked about the infamous snowballs-Santa Claus moment. Gaffigan introduced Philly's own disco queens Sister Sledge (although Kathy Sledge, who sang lead vocals on their 1979 hit "We Are a Family," was not invited to perform with her three other sisters. She's effectively been a solo artist since 1989).
Francis arrived at the Festival of Families to much fanfare
Mark Wahlberg took to the stage to emcee the main event. Why Mark Wahlberg? The Oscar-nominated actor is a devout Catholic who attends church daily and credits his Catholicism with turning his life around. He even slipped an Eagles reference into the evening.
Headlining performances came courtesy of Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, classical singer Andrea Bocelli and Colombian rock star Juanes.
Memorable chuckles from the Festival of Families:
- Wahlberg embraced angelic singer Bobby Hill of the Keystone State Boychoir. During the hug, Hill told Wahlberg he was a fan of Ted, Wahlberg's raunchy comedy about a talking bear. "I told him that was not appropriate for a boy of his age," Wahlberg said.
- Pope Francis cracked wise during a speech about the importance of family, saying that children could be a headache, adding "and I won't speak about mother-in-laws." Later, he told the crowd, ""We'll see each other at Mass tomorrow." He turned to his left. "What time is Mass tomorrow?"
Travel home was a rough proposition, with SEPTA riders experiencing hours long waits for to get onto trains.
The spookiest sight of the weekend? Some pilgrims camped at a South Philly cemetery.
Pope Francis addressed abuse survivors Sunday morning. The pontiff met with three women and two men who were abused when they were minors, according to the Vatican. "Words cannot fully express my sorrow for the abuse you suffered. You are precious children of God who should always expect our protection, our care and our love. I am profoundly sorry that your innocence was violated by those you trusted," Francis said in his remarks. Reactions to Francis' words were mixed.
"All of us need to be cleansed, to be washed," Pope Francis told prisoners at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Northeast Philadelphia. "And me in the first place." Prisoners were chosen to attend Pope Francis' speech based on their good behavior. "He wants us to keep walking the paths of life, to realize that we have a mission, and that confinement is not the same thing as exclusion," Francis said. After his speech, Francis embraced prisoners.
Rumors abound on Sunday morning that Pope Francis would make an unscheduled stop at St. Joseph's University. Francis made good on making a quick stop to the Jesuit university located in Overbrook. Francis is also Jesuit.
Did Pope Francis' presence in Philly help the Eagles triumph over the Jets? Couldn't have hurt?
Lines to get into the Papal mass were long with reports of three-plus hour wait times to get onto the Parkway. Some pilgrims lost faith, instead retreating to Jumbotrons to watch Pope Francis lead Mass.
But there were many ways to watch the Mass.
St. Joe's wasn't Pope Francis' only unscheduled visit. He also visited Knotts Grotto in front of the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul. The artwork was created by Meg Saligman. The work was a place where people would display their prayers in ribbons, inspired by Pope Francis's favorite painting. Sister Mary Scullion, the founder of Project HOME, was pushed through the security line by friends. She embraced Francis. "This meant the world to us," said Scullion. "Especially to the people whose knots he blessed."
The pope then made his way to Parkway to begin Mass
Thousands of priests gave communion
Uh, and then there was the time the Jumbotron mis-translated Jesus to Jeez.
"And I ask you pray for me, don't forget," the Pope said. Read the full translated homily.