pope visit to philadelphia

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Pope Francis’ Itinerary for Historic Visit to Philadelphia Officially Released by the Vatican

In addition to the Festival of Families and Papal Mass, the Holy Father will deliver an address at Independence Hall and visit inmates at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility among other activities as part of an expansive two-day visit

Philadelphia, PA (June 30, 2015) -Today, the Vatican released the comprehensive itinerary for Pope Francis’ journey to the United States, including his schedule for Philadelphia on September 26-27, which will close the 6-day Apostolic Journey. Confirmed by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 , Pope Francis will take part in eight public (8) events in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, in addition to his arrival at/departure from Atlantic Aviation. The following reflects the chronological order of confirmed Papal events for Philadelphia.

Saturday, September 26

• Private Arrival: Atlantic Aviation
• The Cathedral Mass with Pope Francis: The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
• Greeting of the Holy Father by the Seminarians of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary: Exterior Front Steps of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
• “We Hold These Truths… :” Independence Hall (Outdoor; Overlooking Independence Mall)
• Address by Pope Francis (Expected Themes: Religious Liberty and Immigration)
• The Festival of Families: The Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Sunday, September 27

• Address to Cardinals + Bishops attending World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015: Saint Martin’s Chapel at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
• Visit with Prisoners and Select Families: Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility
• The Papal Mass: The Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Projected: 4 p.m. EST)
• A Celebration of World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 Supporters + Volunteers: Atlantic Aviation
• Official Departure Ceremony: Atlantic Aviation

Decisions regarding which events will require passes are still to be determined. The Festival of Families (Saturday, September 26) and the Papal Mass (Sunday, September 27) on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway are open to the public.

“Pope Francis’ plans for his visit to Philadelphia seamlessly integrate powerful public moments with more intimate gatherings that are deeply grace filled,” said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap. “It is an itinerary that says, ‘I walk with you – and so does the Lord.’ It says, ‘Embrace your faith and embrace one another as children of God.’ It says, ‘God forgives.’ And it says ‘Come together in celebration.’ The Holy Father’s planned itinerary is a true gift to all of us in the Philadelphia regardless of faith tradition. I am confident we will leave a positive and lasting impression upon Pope Francis and keep the spirit of his visit in our hearts as we seek constantly to build a better society.”

The below provides a brief overview of the key sites selected for Papal events/moments in Philadelphia:

Atlantic Aviation Atlantic Aviation is a fixed-base operator which has been granted the right by the Philadelphia International Airport to serve private, corporate and general aviation aircrafts on the airport’s premises. It is where Air Force One and Air Force Two land when the President and/or Vice President visit Philadelphia.

The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Considered Pennsylvania’s largest cathedral, the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul serves as the mother church of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as it houses the chair or “cathedra” of the Archbishop. Additionally, the Cathedral is the largest and most architecturally-eminent structure brownstone in the City of Philadelphia with its Roman-Corinthian style, majestic facade, vaulted dome, eight (8) impressive side chapels and main sanctuary. It was designed by Napoleon LeBrun, known for his work on the Philadelphia Academy of Music, and John Notman, designer of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia.

Modeled after the Lombard Church of Saint Charles (San Carlo al Corso) in Rome, the cathedral is central to the history of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The great dome is a recognizable sign of this religious landmark among the many civic ones on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Completed in 1864, the Cathedral Basilica seats approximately 1,500 people.

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, established in 1832 by Philadelphia’s third Bishop, is the oldest Catholic institution of higher learning in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It has served as a leading institution in the formation of Catholic men for the Priesthood in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and dioceses throughout the country for more than 180 years. As a center of enrichment for the larger Church community, Saint Charles provides ongoing academic and pastoral programs to priests, deacons, religious and lay men and women through the School of Diaconal Studies and the Graduate School of Theology.

Past dignitary visitors include four future Popes: Pius XII as Cardinal Pacelli, Paul VI as Cardinal Montini, John Paul II, twice as Cardinal Wojtyla and a third time as Pope, and Benedict XVI as Cardinal Ratzinger. Additional visitors who have received honorary degrees at Saint Charles include Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Mother Angelica, and Avery Cardinal Dulles.

Independence Hall Independence Hall is the centerpiece of Independence National Historic Park in Center City Philadelphia. The United States of America was born within the walls of Independence Hall, as it is the location where the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. In 1787, the Constitution of the United States, which forms the framework for our government, was signed in the very same building. Independence Hall is a fundamental icon of United States history. It is the home of America’s universal principles of human dignity, religious freedom and democracy.

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway Inspired by Paris’ Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a breathtaking boulevard that runs through the cultural heart of Philadelphia. Stretching from City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a scenic, tree-lined boulevard flanked by some of Philadelphia’s most acclaimed tourist destinations, leading the way to a cultural mecca of world-class museums and educational institutions. The Parkway also provides access to Fairmount Park, consisting of 63 parks across 9,200 acres. Fountains, small parks, statues and monuments all give the Parkway its own special characteristic, unique to the City of Brotherly Love.

The Chapel of Saint Martin of Tours at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary The facade of Saint Martin’s Chapel is modeled after the Church of Santa Maria della Pace in Rome. The spiritual home of the College Division since its opening in 1928, Saint Martin’s features a four-manual Moller pipe organ with over 2,500 pipes. It was donated by Albert Greenfield, a prominent Philadelphian and friend of Cardinal Dennis Dougherty. Behind the altar are paintings depicting the life of Saint Martin of Tours, the 4th-century Roman soldier-turned-bishop. Pope John Paul II, during his visit to Philadelphia in 1979, met with the seminarians of Saint Charles in Saint Martin’s Chapel.

Curran-Fromhold Correctional Center Opening in 1995, Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility (CFCF) is the largest Philadelphia Prison System facility. The prison was named in honor of Warden Patrick Curran and Deputy Warden Robert Fromhold, who were killed at Philadelphia’s Holmesburg prison in the line of duty in 1973. The 25-acre prison consists of four (4) housing buildings and processes nearly 30,000 males annually.

We are exceptionally grateful for the Holy Father’s plans for Philadelphia as they are reflective of his pastoral priorities as well as Philadelphia’s identity as the birthplace of religious freedom and a city of neighborhoods built by diverse immigrant communities,” said Donna Crilley Farrell, Executive Director for the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015. “With his itinerary announced, we can now finalize our own planning knowing the places that Pope Francis wishes to visit and the themes upon which he wishes to touch. We have every confidence that this visit move us all in ways we cannot yet imagine.”

Co-sponsored by the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the World Meeting of Families is a triennial global event that seeks to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe and highlight its intrinsic value to the good of society. This international gathering will welcome Pope Francis to the United States for the first time in his Papacy. Being held in the United States for the first time ever, the official theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families is “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.”

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, visit www.WorldMeeting2015.org . For more information regarding The Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family, which co-sponsors the World Meeting of Families, visit http://www.familiam.org/famiglia_eng/00002554_HOME_ENG.html . You can also engage the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia on Facebook (World Meeting of Families 2015) (Encuentro Mundial de las Familias – Filadelfia 2015) , Twitter (@WMF2015) (@WMF2015ES) and Instagram (WMF2015) .

About World Meetings of Families Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

Contact Kenneth A. Gavin Director of Communications 215-587-3747

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Watch CBS News

Pope calls for church to place greater value on women

Updated on: September 26, 2015 / 10:58 PM EDT / CBS/AP

PHILADELPHIA -- Pope Francis arrived in the City of Brotherly Love on Saturday for the final leg of his U.S. visit - a festive weekend devoted to celebrating Catholic families - and immediately called for the church to place greater value on women.

The pontiff's plane touched down at the Philadelphia airport after takeoff from New York, bringing him to a city of blocked-off streets, sidewalks lined with portable potties, and checkpoints manned by police, National Guardsmen and border agents.

After speeches to Congress and the United Nations earlier this week aimed at spurring world leaders toward bold action on immigration and the environment, he is expected to focus more heavily on ordinary Catholics during his two days in Philadelphia.

On Friday night in New York, about 20,000 of the faithful packed into Madison Square Garden to witness the pope's message about faith in the city, CBS News correspondent Chip Reid reports.

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light," the pope said during his homily, "and we ourselves are witnesses of that light."

From the Philadelphia airport Saturday, Francis rode by motorcade to the downtown Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul to celebrate a Mass for about 1,600 people. In his homily, he said the future of the Catholic Church in the U.S. requires a much more active role for lay Catholics.

"It means valuing the immense contribution in which women, lay and religious, have made and continue to make to the life of our communities," he said.

Francis has repeatedly said women should have a greater role in church leadership, although he has rejected the idea of ordaining women.

Under Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, many U.S. bishops worked to shore up their authority, upsetting parishioners who had high expectations for more of a say in Catholic life. By touching on the issue, Francis seemed intent on healing one of the major rifts in American Catholicism that has alienated many from the church.

Among those greeting Francis at the airport was Richard Bowes, a former Philadelphia police officer wounded in the line of duty seven years ago. Francis also got out of his black Fiat to bless a boy in a wheelchair with cerebral palsy on the tarmac, kissing him on the forehead.

A Catholic high school band played the theme song from the Philadelphia-set movie "Rocky."

Ahead of Francis' visit, Catholic website Aleteia posted a Vine video linking the pope to "Rocky."

Also on the itinerary for Saturday: a late-afternoon speech on religious freedom and immigration at Independence Hall, where the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The 78-year-old Argentine was scheduled to speak from the lectern Abraham Lincoln used to deliver the Gettysburg Address.

Francis will be the star attraction at the World Meeting of Families, a conference for more than 18,000 people from around the world. The weekend's activities will culminate in an outdoor Mass Sunday evening for 1 million people on the broad Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

It will be the last major event of his U.S. visit before he leaves that night for Rome.

On the first two legs of his six-day U.S. journey, in Washington and New York, Francis was greeted by throngs of cheering, weeping well-wishers hoping for a glance or a touch from the wildly popular spiritual leader, despite unprecedented security.

The Philadelphia visit, months in the making, all but paralyzed Center City, with stretches of Broad and Market Streets and other routes closed to all but pedestrians and lined with metal crowd-control barricades, massive concrete blocks and tall fences.

"He has a magnetic personality that not only appeals to Catholics, but to the universal masses. He's not scripted. He's relatable. His heart, in itself, you can see that reflected through his message," said Filipina Opena, 46, a Catholic from LaMirada, California, as tour groups and families walked among Philadelphia's historic sites ahead of the pope's visit. "People feel he's sincere and he's genuine."

As he has done in New York and Washington, the pontiff will give his attention to both the elite and the disadvantaged, this time visiting inmates in Philadelphia's largest jail.

"It's probably not politicians who will remember his message but the kids," said Liza Stephens, 48, of Sacramento, California, who was in Philadelphia with her two daughters, ages 10 and 12. The three spent time volunteering to bag food for Africa, among other activities at the family conference.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia organized the conference, hoping for a badly needed infusion of papal joy and enthusiasm amid shrinking membership, financial troubles and one of the worst clergy sex-abuse scandals to hit a U.S. diocese.

The archdiocese has been the target of three grand jury investigations. The last grand jury accused the diocese in 2011, before Archbishop Charles Chaput came to Philadelphia, of keeping on assignment more than three dozen priests facing serious abuse accusations.

A monsignor who oversaw priest assignments was found guilty of child endangerment, becoming the first American church official convicted of a crime for failing to stop abusers.

The pope is widely expected to talk privately with abuse victims this weekend.

The visit is also shaping up as one of the most interesting ecclesial pairings of the pope's trip. His host is Chaput, an outspoken opponent of abortion and gay marriage who takes a hard line on church teaching in the archdiocese.

Chaput has said a local Catholic school run by nuns showed "character and common sense" by firing a teacher in June who married another woman. He recently wrote in the archdiocese newspaper that abortion is "a uniquely wicked act" that cannot be seen as one sin among many.

Three days ago, in an address to U.S. bishops laying out his vision for American Catholicism, Francis said attention should be paid to the "innocent victim of abortion" but listed the issue as one among many "essential" to the church's mission, including caring for the elderly and the environment.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholics plan to hold separate events in a push for more acceptance in the church. Francis has famously said, "Who am I to judge?" when asked about a supposedly gay priest, but has also affirmed church teaching on marriage.

Mary McGuiness, a religion professor at La Salle University, a Catholic school in Philadelphia, said she doesn't anticipate a flood of local Catholics returning to Sunday Mass because of the pope's visit. She said the archdiocese has been through too much with abuse scandals and parish closings.

She said the intense attention to his speeches here could inspire people to "begin to think more about what Catholicism really means."

"I hope that will happen," she said. "But I hear a lot of people say, 'I like this pope, but I'm not going back.'"

• Pennsylvania

More from CBS News

Papal Visits

By William Madges

Popes use their visits to encourage faith, emphasize their priorities, and fulfill their role as pastors. The places visited use these trips to highlight their successes, history, and culture on an international stage. Prior to the visit of Pope Francis (b. 1936) to Philadelphia on September 26 and 27, 2015, only one other pope had made an official visit to the city. Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) came on October 3 and 4, 1979, as part of his first trip to the United States as pope. As Cardinal Wojtyła, he had visited Philadelphia in August 1976, representing Pope Paul VI at the International Eucharistic Congress during the celebration of the nation’s bicentennial.

John Paul II enjoyed a close relationship with John Cardinal Krol (1910-96), archbishop of Philadelphia (1961-88), a fellow Pole with whom he shared similar views concerning theology and church discipline. The large Catholic population of the archdiocese (more than 1.3 million), the historical significance of the city, and the pope’s friendship with Cardinal Krol were all factors in Philadelphia’s selection for a visit.

Before Philadelphia, John Paul II visited the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, where he enunciated themes repeated in Philadelphia: the dignity of the human person, fundamental human rights, and the primacy of spiritual and moral values over material and technological progress. In 1979, Philadelphia was like many other urban centers, experiencing declining influence relative to the suburbs. During the 1972-80 tenure of Mayor Frank Rizzo (1920-91), a time of white flight to the suburbs and increases in crime rates, taxes, and poverty, tensions ran high between white residents and African Americans. In this context, in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul , the pope prayed that everyone in the region would “succeed in making your inner city and suburbs places where people are no strangers to each other, where every man, woman and child feels respected; where nobody feels abandoned, rejected or alone.” In his homily at the Mass in Logan Circle that followed, John Paul urged the estimated 400,000 participants to preserve the human and Christian values—especially liberty and justice—of the city’s and the nation’s heritage. Before leaving, the pope met with seminarians and priests, Hispanic Catholics, and Ukrainian Catholics.

World Meeting of Families

Philadelphia’s second opportunity for a papal visit emerged in connection with the city’s hosting of the 2015 World Meeting of Families, a triennial event established by John Paul II to encourage discussion of the challenges and contributions of family life. The two-day papal visit was planned to encompass the meeting’s concluding events, a family festival (September 26) and a Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (September 27). Organizers projected that the Mass featuring the pope would draw between one and two million people.

In addition to appealing to the local Catholic community, the prospect of a second papal visit also drew support from civic and business leaders eager to encourage business opportunities and tourism by presenting Philadelphia as a city of global stature. A delegation including Robert J. Ciaruffoli (b. 1951), a top executive at accounting firm Baker Tilly, and Daniel Hilferty (b. 1957), Independence Blue Cross CEO, joined Mayor Michael Nutter (b. 1957), Governor Tom Corbett (b. 1949), and Archbishop Charles Chaput (b. 1944) in flying to Rome in March 2014 to encourage the pope to come to Philadelphia. The religiously diverse Executive Leadership Cabinet of the World Meeting of Families also reflected broad support.

The pope’s vigorous engagement with contemporary issues added to public interest in the visit, as evinced by newspaper articles, op-eds, and letters on the subject. Since his election in March 2013, the pope called for serving the urgent needs of migrants and refugees, protecting the environment, and making economic systems more just. He also sought to persuade the Church to be more concerned with compassionate service to all, especially the marginalized, rather than with a rigid adherence to doctrinal orthodoxy.  His message resonated not only with Catholics, but also with many others. At the same time, the pope’s insistence that humans had a moral obligation to become good stewards of the earth, instead of degrading the environment and inflicting suffering on the poor across the globe, led some conservatives to argue that the pope should steer clear of forays into “scientific” matters.

The Pope’s Itinerary

Like John Paul II before him, Francis’ arrival in Philadelphia followed an address at the United Nations in New York.  Echoing themes from that address, in Philadelphia Francis—using the same lectern that Abraham Lincoln used to deliver the Gettysburg Address—spoke about religious freedom and immigration at Independence Hall on September 26. He also met with selected prisoners and their families at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility before celebrating a concluding Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on September 27.

While the two papal visits have many similarities, fund-raising for the 2015 visit of Pope Francis differed from its 1979 precedent. In 1979, after Mayor Frank Rizzo announced that the city would cover the $205,569 expense of the platform and decorations for the public Mass, the ACLU filed and won a lawsuit against Philadelphia for violating the First Amendment.  In 2015, no public funds were to be used to cover the estimated $45 million cost of infrastructure, security, and cleanup for the World Meeting of Families and the papal visit. A development committee chaired by Eustace Mita , CEO of Achristavest, a waterfront development company, led the fund-raising. In addition to appealing to local businesses, foundations, and individual philanthropists for most of the needed funds, the committee created opportunities for supporters to purchase merchandise online, to donate $10 to light a candle for one’s intentions at the Cathedral Basilica, and to designate the World Meeting of Families as a preferred charity to receive a percentage of purchases made on Amazon.com.

Security measures in 2015 were also far more robust than in 1979, which preceded the era of the 9/11 attacks and the rise of al Qaeda and ISIS.  The first papal visit had no secure vehicle perimeter to block traffic, nor was there screening of visitors with magnetometers or high fences severely restricting access to the principal papal venues. The 2015 visit, designated a National Special Security Event by the U.S. secretary of Homeland Security ,  led the city to implement unprecedented travel restrictions, criticized by some as excessive. These measures included closing the Benjamin Franklin Bridge , the Vine Street Expressway, and large stretches of the Schuylkill Expressway to private vehicles and preventing incoming traffic into the three-square-mile papal security perimeter for the entire weekend.

About one month before the pope’s visit, city officials and World Meeting of Families supporters mounted a campaign to undo  negative publicity brought by uncertainties over security and transportation issues, including distribution of “OpeninPHL” kits to downtown businesses and assurances that the city would take the event in stride.

Despite the inconvenience caused by the travel restrictions and disruption created by the huge influx of visitors, Philadelphia expected to net more than $400 million in economic benefit from the 2015 papal visit. Hotels and restaurants expected to reap the greatest profit, but local merchants—especially the official retail vendor, Aramark— also stood to benefit from the selling of papal paraphernalia, including the papal bobblehead doll with cheesesteak in hand, T-shirts, coffee mugs, and religious articles. In the final months prior to the pope’s arrival, local media intensified their coverage of the preparations for the papal visit, providing daily updates as their papal clocks counted down to Francis’s visit, expected to be the largest event thus far in Philadelphia history.

William Madges , Ph.D., is a professor of theology in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Saint Joseph’s University.  His most recent publication is a translation of Walter Kasper’s Pope Francis’ Revolution of Tenderness and Love (New York: Paulist Press, 2015).

Copyright 2015, Rutgers University

Philadelphia Civic Center Clergy-Only Mass

PhillyHistory.org

This sign at the old Civic Center in 1979 heralded Pope John Paul II's visit to Philadelphia, during which he held two Masses, one in Logan Circle for the public and the other at the Philadelphia Civic Center for 10,000 priests and 3,000 nuns.

During Pope Francis's 2015 visit to Philadelphia, two Masses were scheduled, the first at 10:30 a.m. September 26 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for local religious and those with personal invitations.

The second, open to the public, occurred on September 27, when the pope celebrated the closing mass for the World Meeting of Families. He officiated from a stage in Eakins Oval in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Logan Circle Stage for Pope John Paul II, 1979

The public Mass held in Logan Circle on October 3, 1979, drew more than a million people, according to police estimates at the time, stretching on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from City Hall to the Art Museum.

Although the one million attendance figure has been widely used since Pope John Paul II's 1979 visit, and organizers at the World Meeting of Families 2015 predicted more than one million people would attend a parkway Mass on September 27, recent appraisals by crowd specialists say that the parkway can hold only about 400,000 people. Organizers set up giant screens beyond the parkway to handle the overflow.

In 1979, the papal stage and altar at Logan Circle brought controversy as Mayor Frank Rizzo spent $205,569 of public funds during its construction. A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union against the City of Philadelphia argued that using public money to build the stage amounted to “public sponsorship of a religious service.” The city lost the lawsuit and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia reimbursed the costs of the construction.

To avoid a similar issue with the 2015 visit of Pope Francis, the City of Philadelphia made clear that the $45 million in expenses for the papal event would be paid by the World Meeting of Families, covering all religious and nonreligious aspects of the visit.

Crowd at Pope John Paul II's Mass in 1979

During the 1972 to 1980 tenure of Mayor Frank Rizzo, a time of white flight to the suburbs and increases in crime rates, taxes, and poverty, tensions ran high between white residents and African Americans. In this context, in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the pope prayed that everyone in the region would “succeed in making your inner city and suburbs places where people are no strangers to each other, where every man, woman and child feels respected; where nobody feels abandoned, rejected or alone.” In his homily at the Mass in Logan Circle that followed, John Paul urged the hundreds of thousands in attendance to preserve the human and Christian values—especially liberty and justice—of the city’s and the nation’s heritage.

Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II (1920-2005), shown here, was the only other pope to make an official visit to Philadelphia, on October 3 and 4, 1979, as part of his first trip to the United States as pope. Popes use their visits to encourage faith, emphasize their priorities, and fulfill their role as pastors. The places visited use these trips to highlight their successes, history, and culture on an international stage.

Traffic Perimeter for Pope's Visit

Security measures in 2015 were far more robust than in 1979. The first papal visit had no secure vehicle perimeter to block traffic, nor was there screening of visitors with magnetometers or high fences severely restricting access to the principal papal venues. The 2015 visit, designated a National Special Security Event by the U.S. secretary of Homeland Security, led authorities to implement unprecedented travel restrictions, criticized by some as excessive. These measures included closing the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the Vine Street Expressway, and large stretches of the Schuylkill Expressway to private vehicles and preventing incoming traffic into the three-square-mile papal security perimeter, shown here, for the entire weekend.

Historic Visit

This postcard peddled by a vendor on Market Street, anticipated the arrival of Pope Francis at Independence Hall, where he spoke about immigration and religious freedom.

Related Topics

• Holy Experiment
• Philadelphia and the World
• Philadelphia and the Nation
• Philadelphia, the Place that Loves You Back
• City of Brotherly Love

Time Periods

• Twenty-First Century
• Twentieth Century after 1945
• Center City Philadelphia
• Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
• Roman Catholic Parishes
• Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• Missionaries
• Roman Catholic Church and Catholics

Related Reading

Ivereigh, Austen. The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope .  New York: Henry Holt, 2014.

Pilgrim of Peace: The Homilies and Addresses of His Holiness Pope John Paul II on the Occasion of His Visit to the United States of America .  Washington, D.C.: United States Catholic Conference, 1979.

Simon, Roger D.  Philadelphia: A Brief History . Harrisburg, Pa.: Huggins Printing Co., 2003.

Walsh, Mary Ann, ed. John Paul II: A Light for the World . New York: Sheed & Ward, 2003.

Weigel, George. A Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II . New York: HarperCollins, 2005.

Weigley, Russell F, ed.  Philadelphia: A 300-Year History . New York: W.W. Norton, 1982.

Related Collections

Papal Visit-John Paul II 1979 Collection, Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center , 100 E. Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood, Pa.

Related Places

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul , Eighteenth Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia.

Independence Hall , Chestnut Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets, Philadelphia.

St. Charles Borromeo Seminary , 100 Wynnewood Rd., Wynnewood, Pa.

Temporary exhibits related to 2015 visit of Pope Francis ( listed by Philly.com ).

Backgrounders

Connecting Headlines with History

• Pope In Philly: FAQ (WHYY, July 13, 2015)
• PATCO readies rail passes for pope's visit (WHYY, July 16, 2015)
• Welcome Pope banner unveiled at cathedral (WHYY, July 29, 2015)
• Prison workshop crafting chair for Pope Francis (WHYY, August 24, 2015)
• Bike enthusiast plans a "pope ride" (WHYY, August 26, 2015)
• Papal tickets revive interest in visit for some suburban parishes (WHYY, September 7, 2015)
• SEPTA offering more subway stops for pope weekend and credits to monthly pass holders (WHYY, September 8, 2015)
• Philly side hustle will be on full display during papal visit (WHYY, September 17, 2015)
• Five things Philly officials learned from Pope Francis' visit (WHYY, November 11, 2015)
• Philadelphia to absorb $8 million in papal costs (WHYY, December 3, 2015)
• Security, vending plans for DNC convention differ from papal preparations (WHYY, March 28, 2016)
• New housing facility in the name of Pope Francis opens in Philadelphia (WHYY, May 4, 2016)
• Philly Orchestra sues for unpaid $70K bill from papal performances (WHYY, October 27, 2016)
• Extravaganzas and inconveniences: Philly becoming host with the most (WHYY, May 1, 2017)
• Schedule: 2015 Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis to the United States of America
• For Teachers: The Vatican and Social Change: The Pope Visits Philadelphia (Historical Society of Pennsylvania)
• World Meeting of Families 2015
• Papal Visit Playbook (World Meeting of Families)
• A Hope For The Pope Under The Gold Dome (Hidden City Philadelphia)
• The Pope 2015 Visit to Philadelphia (Collection from Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, Philly.com)
• The Holy See
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• Ticketed Areas for Pope's Visit (Philly.com, September 3, 2015)
• Papal parade plans released after public outcry over required tickets (Philly.com, September 4, 2015)
• Address of the Holy Father at Independence Hall (The Holy See)

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September 07, 2015

The Papal Bull-etin: Everything you need to know about Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia

Whether you're trekking into center city or staying home, here's what you need to know.

Pope Francis is visiting Philadelphia on Sept. 26 and 27. From event tickets to  road closures to security perimeters and altered public transit schedules,  here's what you need to know to see the Holy Father:

If you plan to attend

• Pope Francis will make his first public appearance at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at Independence Mall, where he will deliver a speech on immigration and religious liberty. He will then appear at the Festival of Families at 7:30 p.m. on the Parkway, an event expected to draw 800,000 people. 

• The biggest event of the weekend happens Sunday, Sept. 27. Some 1.5 million people are expected to flood the Parkway when Pope Francis delivers a 4 p.m. Mass at Eakins Oval. For many, it will be reminiscent of the Mass said by Pope John Paul II at Logan Square in October 1979.

• Pope Francis will parade down the Parkway twice during the weekend, giving pilgrims an opportunity to see him up-close. The first parade will occur prior to the Festival of Families. Pope Francis will be driven down the Parkway from Eakins Oval, around City Hall, and back up to Eakins Oval. A second, smaller parade is slated for Sunday, but exact details have not been announced.

• Be prepared to walk — and possibly stand idly for hours. As detailed below, Center City will be closed to most vehicular traffic. Massive crowds are expected to flock onto the Parkway and Independence Mall long before Pope Francis arrives. There will be food and beverage vendors available. 

• Secure perimeters, in which visitors must pass through metal detectors, will be established around the Parkway and Independence Mall.  (See map below.)  The Parkway perimeter opens at 6 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25. The Independence Mall perimeter will open at 6 a.m. Saturday. Pilgrims are prohibited from bringing bicycles, hard coolers, drones, packages, selfie sticks and glass, thermal or metal containers. Backpacks and signs are limited to certain restrictions. A full listing of prohibited items can be found here . 

•The areas in green and black on the map will be open only to ticket-holders. The area in orange will be open to the people who go through security screenings. The light blue area is the traffic box, where incoming traffic is not allowed. 

• Tickets are required to access the areas providing the best views of Pope Francis. Only ticketed attendees can access the portion of the Parkway extending from 20th Street to Eakins Oval. Tickets are being distributed by event organizers to the 219 parishes comprising the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Another 10,000 free tickets to each Parkway event will be made available online to the public Wednesday, Sept. 9 on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• Tickets also are needed to watch Pope Francis speak at Independence Mall. Those tickets were freely distributed online Tuesday, Sept. 8 on a first-come, first-serve basis. They were claimed within two minutes.

• Forty Jumbotrons will be placed throughout Center City to broadcast live papal events and other programming beginning at 6 a.m. Live broadcasts involving Pope Francis include his airport arrival, a cathedral Mass, his speech at Independence Hall, the Festival of Families and the public papal Mass.

• Major highways will be shut down and most private vehicles will be restricted from entering a "traffic box," also known as the Francis Festival Grounds, encompassing Center City and surrounding neighborhoods, as detailed more fully below.

• The region's public transit systems all will be operating on amended schedules, as also detailed below. Many trains require passengers to purchase special passes to ride.

If you plan to take SEPTA

• SEPTA is closing most stations on its regional rail, subway, trolley and high speed lines in an attempt to shuttle passengers into Center City as quickly as possible. The boarding stations that will open are shown on the map below (Since releasing the map, SEPTA has since announced several additional stations along the Market-Frankford and Broad Street lines also will be open, but they are not indicated on the map):

• Special papal passes are required to ride SEPTA's regional rails on Saturday and Sunday. No other fares will be permitted. The transit agency made 175,000 papal passes available for each day. The passes — which remain available — need to be purchased in advance. Parking outside SEPTA's stations will be limited.

• SEPTA has published an interactive map showing snapshots of parking locations, customer drop-off and pick-up points, customer staging areas, road closures and vehicle access points at each of the 18 outlying Regional Rail stations.

• The Airport Line will operate inbound and outbound trains every 30 minutes on Saturday and Sunday. Passengers will need to purchase a one-day papal pass, available for purchase in airport terminals. Local residents and other visitors can pay to park in the airport lot and take the Airport Line into Center City. Those with pre-purchased papal passes will get priority boarding between 5:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. After 8 a.m., weekly and monthly passes also will be accepted as valid fares.

• Special three-day passes are necessary to the ride the Norristown High Speed Line and Trolley routes 101 and 102. The $10 passes, made available via online lottery, are the only acceptable fare for Saturday and Sunday. The passes also are valid Monday, Sept. 28, when standard fares again are accepted.

• SEPTA also will sell three-day passes to ride its subways, buses and remaining trolleys during the papal visit. The passes are on sale for $10 apiece. However, standard tokens and passes also will be accepted on those transit modes.

• The Market-Frankford and Broad Street lines will operate inbound and outbound trains from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. However, the lines only will stop at select stops, listed here .

• The following SEPTA city bus routes will operate on weekday schedules on Saturday and Sunday: 3, 5, 6, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 31, 33, 42, 47, 50, 52, 55, 58, 66, 70 and R. The following suburban bus routes also will operate on a weekday schedule: 99, 103, 104, 107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, 123, 124, 125, 201 and 206. Another 28 bus routes and the Route 10 trolley will be suspended. Affected routes will be posted on SEPTA's website

• Bicycles will not be permitted on SEPTA trains or inside transit vehicles.

If you plan to take New Jersey Transit

• Special tickets will be required to ride the Atlantic City Rail Line and the River Line. Both lines will operate on a limited schedule on Saturday and Sunday. No other fares, including monthly passes, Family SuperSaver or cash, will be accepted on either line. 

• Special tickets for the Atlantic City Rail Line can be pre-purchased here . Special tickets for the River Line can be bought at the following stations — Trenton, Bordentown, Florence, Burlington South, Route 73/Pennsauken and Pennsauken Transportation Center.

• The Atlantic City Rail Line will operate hourly express trips from the Atlantic City Rail Terminal to 30th Street Station beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The last train leaves Atlantic City at 3 p.m. The trains will not stop at any other stops.

• Following the Festival of Families on Saturday, trains will depart 30th Street Station at 10 p.m. and operate every 30 minutes. Following the Sunday Mass, trains will leave at 7 p.m. and operate every 30 minutes.

• The River Line will offer limited service beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Trains only will stop at Bordentown, Florence, Burlington South, Route 73/Pennsauken, Pennsauken Transit Center and the Walter Rand Transportation Center. Trains will not operate beyond the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden due to expected crowded road conditions.

• Following the papal events, River Line trains will depart Walter Rand Transportation Center on a load-and-go basis.

• No bicycles will be permitted aboard NJ Transit trains.

• All bus routes that typically travel into Center City will terminate at the Walter Rand Transportation Center. Additional bus service will operate on Route 419, which runs along the River Line between Burlington Towne Centre and Camden. Enhanced service will be provided on Route 554 from Atlantic City to Lindenwold. No special ticketing is needed for bus service.

• Access Link service to and from Philadelphia will be suspended Friday through Monday. Service will resume Tuesday, Sept. 29.

If you plan to take PATCO

• PATCO will provide express, non-stop service westbound to its 10th and Locust streets station in Center City from four New Jersey stops — Lindenwold, Woodcrest, Ferry Avenue and Broadway. Return trips departing Center City only will stop at those four stations.

• Only passengers who have pre-purchased Freedom cards will be able to ride. The passes can be purchased until Sept. 1 at the agency's Broadway Station and on its website .

• Parking will be limited at the stations. It is not available at the Broadway station in Camden.

If you plan to drive

• Major roadways begin closing near Philadelphia at 10 p.m. Friday. The Schuylkill Expressway will be closed eastbound from I-476 to I-95 and westbound from I-95 to City Avenue. The entire Vine Street Expressway will be closed. City Avenue will be closed from Lancaster Avenue to Belmont Avenue.

• The Benjamin Franklin Bridge will be limited to pedestrian traffic beginning at 10 p.m. Friday. It will not reopen until sometime Monday. In New Jersey, I-676 will be closed westbound from Exit 3 to the bridge. The Admiral Wilson Boulevard will be closed westbound from Airport Circle to the bridge.

• I-95 will remain open, but traffic will be diverted at some ramps.

• The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation launched a website that provides real-time traffic conditions on regional highways. It also includes details on the best paths to reach the papal venues and diversionary routes. 

• Only buses registered with the World Meeting of Families will be able to enter the "traffic box" engulfing Center City. Aside from emergency vehicles, no other vehicles will be permitted to enter from 6 p.m. Friday until sometime Monday.

• Heading east to west, the "traffic box" encompasses an area from the Delaware River to 38th Street in West Philly. Its southern border is South Street. Its northern border runs, east to west, along Spring Garden Street, Ridge Avenue and Girard Avenue. See the map below (note: the blue area goes into effect Friday at 6 p.m. while the purple area goes into effect the same day at 10 p.m.):

If you plan to take a taxi or UberBlack

• Taxi cabs and UberBlack service will be permitted to access the "traffic box" until 2 a.m. Saturday. They may re-enter at 3 a.m. Monday.

• Twenty-seven taxis compliant with American with Disabilities Act will be permitted to drive within the traffic box at all times.

If you plan to bike

• Biking figures to be a popular transportation mode. Bicyclists will be able to travel over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and into the Center City "traffic box."

• Indego, the city's new ridesharing bike program, will keep four bike stations open. Those locations are Rittenhouse Square, Front and Dock streets, 30th Street, and Spring Garden and Broad streets. All other docking stations will close.

• The accessibility of the Schuylkill River trail remains in question. Sufficient bike corrals for cyclists to lock their bikes also remain in doubt.

• Bicycles will not be permitted on New Jersey Transit trains or buses. SEPTA is forbidding bicycles on its regional rail service or inside transit vehicles.

If you plan to cross the Benjamin Franklin Bridge

• The Ben Franklin Bridge will be limited to pedestrian traffic beginning at 10 p.m. Friday until sometime Monday — possibly as late as noon. Walking from New Jersey to Center City is expected to take pedestrians several hours. Pedestrians will not need to pass through security checkpoints to access the bridge.

• Parking in Camden will be limited — no private parking is available — making it difficult to drive and park near the bridge. I-676 westbound will be closed from Exit 3 to the bridge. The Admiral Wilson Boulevard also will be closed westbound from Airport Circle to the bridge.

• New Jersey officials advise walkers to find a place to stay overnight in Philadelphia. Those returning should bring a flashlight for when night falls.

If you plan to take the RiverLink ferry

If you plan to travel from the airport.

• SEPTA's Airport Line will operate inbound and outbound trains every 30 minutes on Saturday and Sunday. Passengers will need to purchase a one-day papal pass, available for purchase in airport terminals, before boarding. No tickets will be sold on the trains. 

• Local residents and other visitors can pay to park in the airport lot and take the Airport Line into Center City. Passengers with pre-purchased papal passes will get priority boarding between 5:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. After 8 a.m., weekly and monthly passes also will be accepted as valid fares.

• Taxi cabs and UberBlack service will be permitted to access the "traffic box" engulfing Center City until 2 a.m. Saturday. They may re-enter at 3 a.m. Monday.

If you live within the 'traffic box'

• Heading east to west, the "traffic box" encompasses an area from the Delaware River to 38th Street in West Philly. Its southern border is South Street. Its northern border runs, east to west, along Spring Garden Street, Ridge Avenue and Girard Avenue.

• Only emergency vehicles, bicycles and buses registered with the World Meeting of Families will be able to enter. No other vehicles will be permitted to enter from 6 p.m. Friday until sometime Monday.

• Residents living within the 'traffic box' may drive their vehicles throughout it, but should be prepared for difficulties caused by massive crowds. Vehicles also can exit the box but may not re-enter until the box is disbanded Monday.

• A secure vehicle perimeter — in which no vehicles are permitted — will be established around the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Independence Mall. All parked vehicles must be moved from within this area, outlined by the black line on the map below.

• Two additional fenced security perimeters, located in red on the map above, sit within the secure vehicle perimeter. Visitors must pass through metal detectors to enter those areas. 

• The secure vehicle perimeter and the fenced secure perimeter around the Parkway will be constructed at 10 p.m. Thursday. The Independence Mall fenced perimeter will go up at 10 p.m. Friday.

• Towing will begin on Sunday, Sept. 20 in preparation for the placement of fencing along the Parkway and Independence Mall. All secure zones must be cleared by Wednesday, Sept. 23. Signs will be posted on Sept. 14 warning of the planned towing. A map indicating the varied times residents must remove their vehicles is below (click on the list icon on the upper left-hand sign for a map legend).

• There are six Philadephia Parking Authority garages with 2,000 total spaces available. The garage locations are at 16th and Vine streets, 15th and Arch streets, Second and Sansom streets, 10th and Ludlow streets, Ninth and Filbert streets, and Eighth and Chestnut streets. The Naval Hospital Lot, at 1600 Pattison Ave, with 1,500 spaces, will offer free parking.

• Residents who pre-purchase a weekend-long pass to a Philadelphia Parking Authority garage space will be able to remain parked on the street until Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. They must place an exemption placard in their vehicle to prevent it from towing. Once a vehicle has entered one of the garages, it must remain there until Sept. 28. Pre-purchased tickets cost $20 for the weekend.

• Residents also can call Luxe, a private valet parking service, to pick up a car and move it out of the restricted areas. The fee is $20 per day. Residents can email [email protected] or register  here . 

If you live in Lower Merion

• Pope Francis will be staying at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary on East Wynnewood Road. Road closures are expected to create significant traffic congestion. Crowds are expected to gather near the seminary, as people hope to catch a glimpse of the pope.

• City Avenue will be closed from Lancaster Avenue to Belmont Avenue from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. 

• Lower Merion officials have said residents will be able to get to their homes by car. Residential parking passes have been distributed to preserve local street parking for residents. Those living near the seminary's entrance on East Wynnewood Road will need to enter their property through a checkpoint.

• Ensuring access to Lankenau Medical Center, located across the from the seminary, will be paramount. Lower Merion officals said parking will be available at the medical center for those with a reason to be there. Lancaster Avenue will remain open. 

• Helicopters are expected to land and take off from the seminary; Lower Merion officials said the pope is expected to use a helicopter to get to the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility on Sunday. 

Businesses/Restaurants in Center City

• Mayor Michael Nutter and event organizers are encouraging Center City businesses to remain open during the papal visit. Reading Terminal Market, McGillin's Olde Ale House, Del Frisco's Double Edge Steakhouse, Jack's Firehouse, Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks are among the eateries committed to remaining open. Wawa also will remain open.

• Businesses located within the 'traffic box' — but outside the secure vehicle zone — can get deliveries or have trash collected between midnight and 4 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Trucks must be less than 28-foot-long. Trucks entering the outer ring will not need to be screened. There are no designated entry areas.

• Businesses within the secure vehicle zone must have all delivery vehicles screened. Entry points will be announced later.

• The Philadelphia Department of Commerce launched a business resource center designed to assist businesses affected by the papal visit. Businesses can call 215-683-2100 with questions, including those concerning employees and operations, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you are pregnant or need medical assistance

• Several Center City hospitals sit within the 'traffic box' – Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Hahnemann University Hospital, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Hospital. Penn Presbyterian Medical Center sits on the 38th Street border.

• Pregnant women will be able to travel through the restricted "traffic box" to deliver at their preferred facility, though specific details have not been announced. Other patients, such as the chronically ill, also will be able to travel through the "traffic box."

• The city has not announced its emergency preparedness plan, but emergency vehicles will be able to travel into the "traffic box." First aid tents are expected to be scattered throughout the parkway to provide assistance to pilgrims falling ill. Those requiring additional treatment will be taken to a medical facility by Philadelphia Fire and EMS officials.

• Hospitals have planned staff increases, hospital sleep-ins and supply boosts. Non-emergency services are not expected to be curtailed. Surgeries and chemotherapy treatments will be scheduled for the convenience of the patient, according to Mark Ross, healthcare emergency preparedness manager for the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania.

What to expect at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

• A secure perimeter will be constructed at 10 p.m. Thursday in preparation for the weekend's Parkway events — the Festival of Families on Saturday and the papal mass on Sunday. The area, in which all pilgrims must pass through metal detectors, will open to pedestrians at 6 a.m. Friday.

• Pilgrims are prohibited from bringing bicycles, hard coolers, drones, packages, selfie sticks and glass, thermal or metal containers. Backpacks and signs are limited to certain restrictions. A full listing of prohibited items can be found  here

• Only ticketed attendees can access the portion of the Parkway extending from 20th Street to Eakins Oval. Those tickets are being distributed by event organizers to the 219 parishes comprising the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Another 10,000 free tickets to each Parkway event will be made available online to the public on Wednesday, Sept. 9 on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• Ticketed pilgrims can access the Parkway by passing through security checkpoints at the following locations: Pennsylvania Avenue at the intersection of North 23rd and Spring Garden streets, North 22nd at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Hamilton Street, Hamilton Street between North 21st and North 22nd streets, North 21st Street between Hamilton Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, North 20th Street at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Callowhill Street, North 20th and Race streets, and North 21st and Winter streets. 

• Non-ticket holders can access the Parkway area from 20th Street to City Hall. For Saturday's Festival of Families, pilgrims can enter through security checkpoints at the following intersections: North 15th and Cherry streets, North Broad and Cherry streets, South Broad and Chestnut streets, South 15th and Chestnut streets, South 17th and Market streets, and South 17th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard. For the papal Mass on Sunday, pilgrims must pass through security checkpoints at North 19th and Wood streets, North 18th and Cherry streets, and North 19th and Cherry streets.

• Jumbotrons will be placed throughout the Parkway to broadcast the Festival of Families and papal Mass, among other events.

• Suggested walking routes, outlined in green, are included on the map above.

What to expect at Independence Mall

• A secure perimeter will be built at 10 p.m. Friday in preparation for Pope Francis' speech Saturday outside Independence Hall. The area, in which all pilgrims must pass through metal detectors, will open to the public at 6 a.m. Saturday.

• Pilgrims are prohibited from bringing bicycles, hard coolers, drones, packages, selfie sticks and glass, thermal or metal containers. Backpacks and signs are limited to certain restrictions. A full listing of prohibited items can be found  here .

• Tickets are required to access Independence Mall when Pope Francis delivers his speech. A total of 10,000 tickets were freely distributed online Tuesday, Sept. 8 on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets also are being distributed by event organizers to ethnic apostolates and immigrant communities through the Archdiocesan Office of Multicultural Ministries.

• Pilgrims can enter Independence Mall through security checkpoints at the following intersections: North Fourth and Market streets, North Fourth and Chestnut streets, North Fifth and Race streets, North Fifth and Arch streets, and North Sixth and Race streets.

• Jumbotrons will be placed throughout the Mall to broadcast Pope Francis' speech on immigration, among other papal events.

If you are a student

• The School District of Philadelphia and Archdiocesan schools will be closed from Wednesday, Sept. 23 through Friday, Sept. 25.

• All Philadelphia public schools and administrative offices will also be closed Monday, Sept. 28. 

If you are traveling from Delaware County

Pope francis' philly schedule.

Saturday, Sept. 26

• Private arrival: Atlantic Aviation

• The Cathedral Mass with Pope Francis: The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

• Greeting of the Holy Father by the Seminarians: Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood

• “We Hold These Truths”: An address by Pope Francis. Outdoors on Independence Mall

• The Festival of Families: The Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Sunday, Sept. 27

• Address to cardinals and bishops attending World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015: Saint Martin’s Chapel at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood.

• Visit with prisoners and select families: Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia.

• The Papal Mass: The Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Projected start: 4 p.m. EDT)

• A Celebration of World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 Supporters + Volunteers: Atlantic Aviation

• Official departure ceremony: Atlantic Aviation

John Kopp PhillyVoice Staff

[email protected]

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Hundreds of thousands flood Philly for Pope Francis' final Mass

PHILADELPHIA — Pope Francis celebrated Mass with hundreds of thousands in the streets of the City of Brotherly Love on Sunday, closing his historic six-day visit to the U.S. where he drew big and enthusiastic crowds wherever he went.

His visit to Philadelphia, the third leg of his U.S. trip that also took him to New York and Washington, coincided with the World Meeting of Families, and Francis used his final scheduled public appearance of the trip to connect faith with family.

In his homily, Francis told the faithful that much like happiness, "holiness is always tied to little gestures."

"These little gestures are those we learn at home, in the family; they get lost amid all the other things we do, yet they do make each day different," Francis said. "They are the quiet things done by mothers and grandmothers, by fathers and grandfathers, by children. They are little signs of tenderness, affection and compassion."

At the conclusion of his Mass, Francis made one small personal request. “I ask you to pray for me," Francis said. "Don’t forget!”

Later on Sunday, in a farewell speech attended by Vice President Biden and his family, Francis recalled details of the USA trip, including his visit to New York's Ground Zero, "the place that speaks so powerfully of the mystery of evil."

"Yet we know with certainty that evil never has the last word," he said, to applause from the crowd. "In God’s merciful plan, love and peace triumph over all.”

Francis' last officials words: “May God bless you all — God bless America.”

His flight, a private American Airlines jet, departed for Rome around 7:45 p.m. ET. He was scheduled to speak to reporters once in the air.

Pope Francis trip highlighted by unscripted moments

Organizers earlier on Sunday said the Mass, which Francis celebrated a stone's throw away from the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art made famous in the movie Rocky , was expected to draw as many as 1 million participants. It capped a busy day for the pontiff, who spoke to victims of clergy sex abuse and vowed to provide "careful oversight" to protect young believers in the future.

He also visited a correctional facility where he blessed inmates and made an unscheduled stop at a local Jesuit university.

Catholics, as well as non-Catholics who are simply fans of "the people's pope," began flooding the Benjamin Franklin Parkway early on an overcast Sunday in hopes of landing a prime spot to bid Francis farewell. The parkway, an iconic thoroughfare, was dotted with big screens to watch the 78-year-old pontiff deliver his final message to the American people before his return trip to Rome.

Boisterous church groups banging drums and singing songs went suddenly silent as the first strains of the musical preludes of the service wafted over the city streets. Crowds blocks away joined in the chanting and prayers as Mass began.

The crowds were packed as far away as Philadelphia's city hall, more than a mile from the pope's altar. The Mass could be heard across much of the city's downtown, where crowds stood rapt watching the celebration on the big screens.

"We are having a blessed time," said Maureen Cobb, 65, a retired teacher from Canal Winchester, Ohio. "The weather is beautiful, the people are beautiful. All these Christians who want to celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ."

Long lines stretched for hours ahead of the Mass, as National Guard soldiers worked to keep the surging crowds orderly.

Steve Mitchell, 61, a deacon from the archdiocese in Detroit, finally gave up as the crowds around him grew unbearably dense and stopped moving. His wife had extricated herself earlier after being jostled one too many times.

Vatican: Pope Francis is tired after whirlwind, limping a bit, but doing fine

Mitchell said he wasn't surprised by the huge numbers of people going to great effort to see the pope celebrate his last Mass in the United States. "It's a historic moment," he said. "This is a guy who has caught the attention of everyone. He's everyone's pope. Non-Catholics, even atheists."

Tom Delesandro, 33, a teacher from Rockledge, Pa., was on the parkway with his mother, wife and 16-month-old daughter, Ava.

"We just wanted to take all this in," he said with Ava in his arms. "This is an amazing day, a once or twice in a lifetime opportunity. I'm just hoping my daughter can catch a glimpse of the pope."

Denese Sadowski's journey to see Francis began early Sunday morning in Brandywine, Pa., but ended in disappointment in Center City where crowds overwhelmed one of 15 security checkpoints into the papal Mass.

Sadowski, a business analyst, had a ticket that was supposed to give her access to the pontiff's parade route and possibly a view of the altar where the pope would sit. But by 2 p.m., she had resigned herself to watching the service on one of 40 giant screens scattered through downtown.

"It's an experience. And even if I don't get in, I'm happy to be here," she said. "I love him. I think he's very modernized, and I hope he'll bring more people to the Catholic Church."

Pope Francis delivers off-the-cuff riff on family life

Ahead of the Mass, Francis made an unscheduled stop at Saint Joseph’s University to view a newly dedicated statue commemorating the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, a Vatican II document that helped bolster the relationship between the Catholic and Jewish faiths.

The document highlighted the historic bond between the two faiths and dismissed past efforts by the Church to convert Jews. Saint Joseph’s, a Jesuit university, established the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations in 1967 in response to the Vatican call for strengthening the interfaith relationship.

Pope's vow to hold clergy accountable for abuse draws disdain, praise

Earlier Sunday, Francis met privately with a group of clergy sex abuse victims. In remarks to bishops from around the globe, Francis said "grievous harm" has been caused by the clergy sex abuse scandal that has marred the church for more than a decade. The pontiff promised to hold those responsible for such offenses accountable.

"I remain overwhelmed with shame that men entrusted with the tender care of children violated these little ones and caused grievous harm," he added. "I am profoundly sorry. God weeps."

Pope Francis in America

The Vatican said Francis met with five adult victims — three women and two men — who were abused by clergy, family members or teachers when they were minors.

In his address to bishops, Francis focused on the difficulties of supporting the family structure in a rapidly changing world.

"Needless to say, our understanding, shaped by the interplay of ecclesial faith and the conjugal experience of sacramental grace, must not lead us to disregard the unprecedented changes taking place in contemporary society, with their social, cultural – and now juridical – effects on family bonds," Francis said. "These changes affect all of us, believers and non-believers alike. Christians are not 'immune' to the changes of their times."

Pope brings message of brotherly love to Philadelphia

Francis also visited the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, where he met with dozens of inmates. The pontiff offered the prisoners — who included suspected murders, rapists and mobsters — words of hope and spoke to them about forgiveness and redemption.

Francis told the inmates that scripture says Jesus washed his apostles’ feet at the Last Supper. In the past, the pope has repeated that ritual — washing the feet of elderly people with disabilities as well as young people at a juvenile detention center.

The pontiff also told the the inmates that they were not alone, intoning that "all of us have something we need to be cleansed of, or purified from."

"The lord goes in search of us, to all of us he stretches out a helping hand," said Francis, who shook hands with each inmate and offered several blessings. "It is painful when we see prison systems which are not concerned to care for wounds, to soothe pain, to offer new possibilities. It is painful when we see people who think that only others need to be cleansed, purified, and do not recognize that their weariness, pain and wounds are also the weariness, pain and wounds of society."

At Independence Hall, Pope Francis offers grist to political right and left

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Photos: Pope Francis wraps up first-ever U.S. visit in Philadelphia

Pope Francis concluded his six-day visit to the United States on Sunday in Philadelphia.

He began the final day by addressing victims of clergy sex abuse and visited Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, Philadelphia’s largest prison, where he spoke to inmates.

He also celebrated Mass on Saturday at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul where he urged ordinary Catholics to strengthen their role in sustaining the church.

After being greeted by about 2,400 people and a midday rest Saturday, Pope Francis also visited Independence Mall and addressed the role of faith in a nation.

Pope Francis greets inmates on Sept. 27 during his visit to the Curran-Fromhold Correction Facility in Philadelphia. Photo by David Maialetti/Reuters.

An inmate holds a photo of Pope Francis Sept. 27 during his visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia. Photo by Jonathan Ernst/Reuters.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd Sept. 26 as he arrives for Mass the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. Photo by Charles Mostoller/Reuters.

People watch on large screens Sept. 26 as Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. Photo by Jonathan Ernst/Reuters.

A woman gets emotional Sept. 26 as she stands at Independence Mall and watches Pope Francis on television celebrating mass nearby at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. Photo by Jim Bourg/Reuters.

Pope Francis kisses a child Sept. 26 on his way to Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Photo by Jim Bourg/Reuters.

A Vatican flag is raised Sept. 26 as crowds gather for Pope Francis at the Festival of Families along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. Photo by Eric Thayer/Reuters.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd Sept. 26 before attending the Festival of Families event in Philadelphia. Photo by Mark Makela/Reuters.

A person holds up a sign Sept. 26 that reads, “long live the Pope,” while awaiting the arrival of Pope Francis at the Festival of Families in Philadelphia. Credit: Brian Snyder/Reuters

Nuns watch Pope Francis’ speech Sept. 26 on a screen during the Festival of Families rally Philadelphia. Photo by Carlos Barria/ Reuters.

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Everything You Need to Know About Pope Francis' Visit

By nbc10 staff • published september 15, 2015 • updated on september 27, 2015 at 11:32 am.

Pope Francis will be in Philadelphia September 26 and 27 for the World Meeting of Families. To help you out, we've created this page to aid with some questions you might have regarding travel, closures, timing, etc.

Many of the answers to these FAQs are quick-hits; for full answers, links are provided as well.

What security restrictions and closures do I need to know about?

The bulk of closures will take place on Friday night and continue to get more restrictive throughout the weekend. No-parking zones expanded throughout the week.

We've put together a full day-by-day breakdown and timeline of what's closing when for the papal visit .

Which roads will be closed during the Papal visit?

Beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday, September 25, the following highways were closed:

I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) eastbound from I-476 (Blue Route) to I-95 I-76 westbound from I-95 to Route 1 I-676 (Vine Street Expressway) in both directions from I-76 to I-95

These roads are expected to be open again by noon on Monday, Sept. 28.

On Saturday morning at 6 a.m., US Route 1 from Route 30 to Belmont Ave will close. It will reopen after 10 p.m. and then be shut down again on Sunday morning at 7 a.m. through the afternoon.

MORE COVERAGE:

• When roads are closing
• How to get around the road closures

I'm not planning on attending any WMOF events. Will other places around the city still be open?

Yes. While some places have rescheduled some events (Union Transfer moved the dates for a few of their concerts), the city is not shutting down completely. The Philadelphia Museum of Art and Barnes Foundation will both close for the weekend of Pope Francis' visit, but will be open during the WMOF congress. The Barnes will have extended hours (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) from September 21-25, and the Museum of Art will stay open until 8:45 on September 23, with discounted admission as well.

The Philadelphia Zoo will be closed that weekend, but they are also hosting many visitors, including a church congregation from Ridgewood, New Jersey .

Penn Vet's Ryan Hospital will also remain open during the Papal visit. Public safety officers will be located at 38th Street to assist people traveling to the hospital with pets.

Even if you're not planning on leaving the house, there are still preparations to be made. NBC10's Lauren Mayk has the latest on filling out your Pope Checklist .

Who are some of the big names that will be performing during the Papal Weekend?

Actor Mark Wahlberg will host The Festival of Families with Pope Francis in Philadelphia. Aretha Franklin, The Fray, Jim Gaffigan, Marie Miller, Andrea Bocelli, Juanes and the Philadelphia Orchestra will also perform. Read more on Mark Wahlberg here .

Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.

A guide to some of the family-friendly fall 2024 festivals, events in NJ, Del. and Pa.

Have you ever heard of Sleeping Bird Doughnuts? This small Del. shop is a hidden treasure

I'm traveling to Philadelphia and don't know much about area roads and how to get around the city. Where can I go for more information about travel?

Governor Tom Wolf announced that PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike launched a much needed detailed travelers' website to assist people traveling to see the Pope. The site's homepage gives you options to view information on real-time traffic conditions for the highways in the Philadelphia region, how to get to and around the Papal venues. Also the pages on the inside will give visitors health tips and information for street and highway closings.

How can I get information should an emergency arise?

NBC10.com and the NBC10 app will provide up to the minute information as news breaks. The NBC10 app will provide news alerts pushed to your mobile device.

The City of Philadelphia is also providing text message alerts through the Office of Emergency Management. You can enroll in this service by texting "papalvisit" to 888777. Again these alerts wil be sent out by the city.

Will schools be closed during the Papal visit?

Yes, Philadelphia public schools will be closed on Wednesday, September 23 for Yom Kippur and Thursday, Friday and Monday, September 24, 25 and 28 for the Papal visit.

Catholic schools are closed Wednesday, September 23 through Friday September 25.

Many area colleges and universities are also closed for the Papal visit.

What other services will be impacted during the Papal visit?

UPS has announced delivery service interruptions Friday and Saturday of the Papal visit in Philadelphia.

Megabus warned riders to plan for delays during the Papal visit.

The United States Postal Service is suspending mail collection and delivery in eight Philadelphia postal codes on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27 during the papal visit.

Curbside trash and recycling collections will be suspended Friday, September 25 and Monday, September 28 cityside, according to the City of Philadelphia .

I got tickets and will be going to an event! What items aren't allowed?

Relatively strict security measures are in place, which ban selfies sticks, laser pointers, bikes, drones, and various other items. Bags can be no larger than 18 inches x 13 inches x 7 inches, and no pets will be permitted outside of service animals.

A full list of prohibited items can be found here .

I don't have tickets for an event but want to watch. Where can I go?

There are 40 jumbotrons that will be set up throughout the city to allow everyone an opportunity to see the events unfold. Some are located near or on the Ben Franklin Parkway, but there will be many set up near City Hall and Independence Hall.

Click here for exact locations of the jumbotrons .

I want to buy Pope gear while I'm in town as a souvenir. Where can I buy some merchandise?

Aramark, the official merchandise provider for Pope Francis' visit during the World Meeting of Families, will celebrate its new pop-up Pope shop in the lobby of its headquarters at 11th and Market streets in Center City Philadelphia. It is currently open and will remain open throughout the Pope's visit.

How will the suburbs be affected by the influx of people?

Thousands of people will be boarding Regional Rail stations in the suburbs, causing major traffic delays in Radnor and Fort Washington, among others. Emergency vehicles will be roving around Montgomery County ready to respond to any backups or emergency situations. There may also be food and water supplied locally for people who may be stuck for up to hours.

State police will also be flying in helicopters to assist people if necessary.

Individual towns and counties may make announcements of their own, so stay tuned to your local area announcements for the latest on how you may be affected.

I live in New Jersey. How can I get into Philadelphia to see Pope Francis?

The Ben Franklin Bridge will be closed to vehicles starting at 10 p.m. on Friday, September 25, but it will be open to pedestrians. Bike riders will also be allowed to cross the bridge, but they will have to walk their bikes across.

NBC10's Matt DeLucia walked the bridge in August and gave us some information about the Bridge's function during the pontiff's visit.

The RiverLink Ferry will also be open and taking passengers from Camden to Philadelphia , with extended hours during Pope Francis' visit on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $7 and will be sold online.

PATCO will also be running trains in from South Jersey, and tickets are expected to be available at stations during the weekend. More information on travel from New Jersey can be found here .

Okay, once I get into the city, how do I get around?

Organizers have been saying for months that public transit is the way to go to see Pope Francis in Philadelphia. SEPTA has announced increases to the number of passes and parking spots along their routes. Every SEPTA stop is within two miles of Logan Circle.

There are also 3-day passes available for just $10 , which will allow you to travel on subways, buses and trolleys from Saturday September 26 to Monday, September 28.

For a full diagram or to buy tickets, visit SEPTA's website .

Certain cabs have been given permission to drive around in the designated pope zone as well, and Philadelphia's bike share program Indego will be available so people can rent bikes within the blocked off areas.

I have a question that wasn't answered here. Who should I ask?

The Papal Visit Playbook has these answers and much more on the World Meeting of Families website.

This article tagged under:

Pope Francis in Philadelphia: Complete recap of the papal visit

• Updated: Sep. 28, 2015, 10:30 a.m.
• | Published: Sep. 28, 2015, 9:30 a.m.
• Lisa Wardle | Special to PennLive

PennLive reporters and photographers were in Philadelphia from Friday through Sunday to cover Pope Francis' visit to the city. Here are their stories, photos and videos from the weekend.

Midstate residents' experiences

• Seeing Pope Francis in Philadelphia emotional, 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience for midstate Catholics
• Harrisburg diocese bus trip to see #PopeinPhilly starts with prayers
• Harrisburg parishioner felt 'presence of the holy spirit' while seeing Pope Francis
• Camp Hill teachers incorporate Pope Francis' visit into every lesson
• Church screening of pope celebrating Mass was 'the next best thing,' parishioner says
• Midstate Catholics stand feet from Pope Francis: 'This is the best gift'

Blessed babies and calls to youth

• Pope Francis calls on Catholic youth to rekindle faith, dedicate life to teachings of Jesus
• Pope Francis stops car to bless disabled child in Philadelphia
• Pope Francis greets, kisses children in wheelchairs after Philly Mass
• Pope Francis blesses cancer-stricken child on the way to Independence Mall
• 'Please say a prayer for her,' mother of baby kissed by Pope Francis asks
• Pope Francis has made the church more appealing to young people, says Bishop McDevitt student
• Pope Francis enchanted by baby girl dressed as mini pontiff

Can't-miss moments

• Corbett, Wolf both moved by pope's appearance in Philly
• Pope Francis' rainbow connection follows him to Philadelphia
• #PopeinPhilly: 9 pontiff t-shirts you can buy ... or not
• Pope Francis extols America's founding ideals during Philadelphia visit
• #PopeinPhilly: Highlights from the Festival of Families
• Gov. Tom Wolf meets Pope Francis in Philadelphia
• Pope Francis meets with sex-abuse victims, promises accountability
• Pope Francis makes unplanned stop at Saint Joseph's University
• Francis' advice to worried mothers of unmarried men: 'Don't iron his shirts anymore'
• Pope Francis is a big hit in the Big House: Paul Mulshine
• Pope sighting: A once-in-a-lifetime experience to live through twice

Crowds and security

• Sights, sounds from Philly pope security checkpoint: video
• Pope pets: Cute animals celebrate #PopeinPhilly, including Ed Rendell's dog
• Overheard in Philly: Francis in the Secret Service and pre-pope naps
• What happened to Philly's homeless while Pope Francis was in town?
• Pope Francis visit: Philadelphia's holy redemption

Scenes from Saturday

• State GOP chair wishes Pope Francis 'safe visit that's steeped in faith, hope and love'
• Cathedral Basilica in Philadelphia fills ahead of Pope Francis mass
• Celebrating a Jumbotron Mass: Scenes outside of the Cathedral Basilica
• Watch cries of 'Papa!' erupt as thousands gather to hear pope speak at Independence Hall

Sunday Mass

• Crowds converge on Philly in advance of Pope Francis parade, Mass
• Holy Sea: Crowd for papal Mass estimated at 1 million
• Outside the gates: Lines force Pope Francis pilgrims to find alternate vantage points
• What the pope said during homily at Philadelphia Mass
• 300 homemade rosaries and one million faithful: Pope's visit ends with Mass on the parkway

Pope visit affects businesses

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• How much for a bottle of water? Pope Francis price hike
• Philly chef voices concern about security overkill during Pope Francis' visit
• Pope's visit turns into financial disaster for many Philly restaurants

Videos of #PopeInPhilly

• The message is the same': Jewish man attended Catholic school for the visually impaired
• 'A song for every mood': Pope Francis street musician shares his secrets
• Music wasn't only played in the Basilica for Pope Francis: Video
• Pope Francis as Rocky Balboa, and other great #PopeinPhilly Vines
• Watch: Andrea Bocelli sings moving rendition of 'The Lord's Prayer' for Pope Francis in Philadelphia
• Immigrant congregation 'happy and excited' to hear from Pope Francis
• Watch Pope Francis passing through Logan Square on the way to Mass

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The New York Times

Live coverage | pope makes way to philadelphia, for final leg of trip, highlights of pope francis’ visit to the united states.

The New York Times September 23, 2015 September 23, 2015

A Whirlwind Papal Journey Concludes

• The crowded agenda of the Pope’s first visit to the United States ended in Philadelphia, where he met with victims of sexual abuse, spoke to inmates and celebrated a Mass in the heart of the city.
• Sunday culminated a six-day, three-city tour , where, in his public appearances, he continued to call for unity and underscore the importance of family.
• While hundreds of thousands of people were moved by the opportunity to pray with the pope, he left America with a blessing and his signature request: “Pray for me.”

Pope Makes Way to Philadelphia, for Final Leg of Trip

Next stop, Philadelphia.

Around sunrise on Saturday morning, a small group of nuns and priests began to stream in to the residency where Pope Francis slept on Friday night. Once screened across the street, the religious figures, which later included Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York, said their goodbyes to the Holy See, as he prepared to travel by helicopter to Kennedy International Airport for a 8:40 a.m. flight to Philadelphia — his final city on his American tour.

“You’ve gotta give it to the guy,” one reporter remarked, as the rest of New York awoke, “It’s like he wants to see every person in this city before he leaves.”

Just past 7:55 a.m., the New York City Police Department motorcade, with helicopters hovering and snipers stationed overhead, revved up its engines to escort the pope downtown to the heliport.

The last leg of the pontiff’s first visit to the United States will feature the week’s biggest events — organizers expect perhaps one million people each at a celebration on Saturday evening at a site along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and at a Mass there on Sunday afternoon.

With a cavalry of cars and officers blocking the view of the residency, the pope’s presence was only made known by a quick glimpse of his white coat, and now-famous Fiat, before it took off down Fifth Avenue, disappearing into the Manhattan morning.

At 8:34 a.m., Francis arrived at Kennedy International Airport to little ado.

His arrival by helicopter went unnoticed by the throngs of airline passengers in Terminal 8, marked only by the brief hum of copter blades and a small entourage of N.Y.P.D. escorts stationed outside Entrance F.

A small group of about five onlookers watched from the passenger unloading deck, hoping for one last glimpse.

“I’d really like to see him,” an airport custodian said as she swept discarded cigarettes into a dustpan.

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Pope Francis Itinerary & Schedule in DC, New York, and Philadelphia

Washington, dc     sept. 22–24.

Arrival from Cuba

His arrival at Andrews Air Force Base marks the first time the pope will set foot on U.S. soil. He will be greeted by President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill.

Welcoming ceremony

Pope Francis will appear at an official welcoming ceremony on the White House South Lawn. He will meet with President Obama following the South Lawn appearance.

Vatican Pool/Getty Images

Papal parade

After leaving the White House, Pope Francis will travel in the "popemobile" along 15th Street, Constitution Avenue and 17th Street, NW. The parade will be free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Gates will be opening for the Ellipse and the National Mall at 4:00 a.m.

Meeting with U.S. bishops

His Holiness will lead a midday prayer from the Liturgy of Hours, alongside Bishops from the United States at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.

Holy Mass and canonization of Junipero Serra

Approximately 25,000 people are expected to attend this mass and it will serve as a canonization for Franciscan missionary Junipero Serra, a Spanish-born Franciscan Friar known for starting nine Spanish missions in California in the 1700s.

George Rose/Getty Images

U.S. Capitol

Pope Francis will address a joint meeting of Congress, making him the first pope in history to do so. Video screens will be set up on the West Front of the Capitol toward the National Mall so thousands can watch the speech from outside.

Visit to the Charitable Center of St. Patrick Parish and meeting with the homeless

The pontiff will make a brief visit to the oldest Catholic church in the nation’s capital. Following the visit to St. Patrick's Parish, Pope Francis will give a blessing to clients of the St. Maria Meals program of the Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Washington. The pope is expected to enjoy a meal of chicken, green beans, carrots and pasta salad with the charity’s homeless clients.

Departure for New York

Pope Francis heads to the Empire State from the same base where he landed on Tuesday.

New York     Sept. 24–26

Arrival in New York

An hour later, Pope Francis arrives at JFK airport in New York City. The Diocese of Brooklyn picked five Catholic school students who will greet Pope Francis when he touches down.

Evening prayer (Vespers)

The pope will lead the evening prayer at a Vespers service held in the St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The event is only open to clergy of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, but a live stream will be available. Pope Francis will be the fourth pontiff to have visited the renowned cathedral. The young students will give the pontiff a bouquet filled with a list of prayers and good works from Catholic school students from Brooklyn and Queens.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Address to the United Nations

The United Nations is used to having high-profile attendees but Pope Francis will be breaking the mold on Friday. He is expected to address the General Assembly on strategies to combat poverty and protect the environment. His visit coincides with the UN's 70th anniversary.

Multi-religious service at 9/11 Memorial

The pontiff will visit the 9/11 Memorial site in lower Manhattan. He will then meet with local representatives of the world religions inside the museum's Foundation Hall, as part of a multi-religious meeting for peace.

Justin Lane-Pool/Getty Images

Visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School

Pope Francis will then visit a third grade class at Our Lady Queen of Angels, an elementary school in East Harlem.

Papal procession

A trip to “The Big Apple” wouldn’t be complete without a stroll through Central Park, so Pope Francis will motorcade between 72nd and 60th streets. More than 93,000 people entered a lottery for a free pair of tickets to the processional, and 80,000 tickets were given out.

The pope will hold Mass in the same famous arena that houses playoff games and sold-out concerts. Madison Square Garden can hold up to 20,000 people.

Departure for Philadelphia

Pope will travel by closed car to a downtown heliport, to catch a helicopter to JFK.

Philadelphia     Sept. 26–27

Arrival in Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s Archbishop Charles Chaput, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and the mayor of Philly Michael Nutter will roll out the red carpet for the Catholic leader. Pope Francis will be the second pope to visit the city.

This Mass is closed to the public and tickets have been limited to 1,600 people. The cathedral is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the largest Catholic church in the state.

John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images

Visit to Independence Mall

Standing in front of America’s birthplace, the pope will give a speech about immigration and religious freedom. Following his speech, Francis plans on touring Independence Hall, which is expected to include a stop at the Liberty Bell.

Festival of families

The Festival of Families is the closing ceremony for the World Meetings of Families conference. Actor Mark Wahlberg will be hosting the outdoor ceremony and performers include Aretha Franklin, Andrea Bocelli, and the Fray. The pope will watch the celebration, hear from six families from different continents and give a speech.

St. Charles is where Pope Francis will sleep while he’s in Philly. The seminary prepares men for the priesthood and the diaconate.

Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility

Pope Francis will visit the city’s largest jail, where most of the inmates are serving a maximum of two years or awaiting trial. The pope will give a speech in the gymnasium and after he’ll individually greet some of the 100 prisoners.

Holy Mass concluding the World Meeting of Families

Before the pope gives the Holy Mass, he’ll ride down the mile-long street in his “popemobile.” This open-air Mass is the main event and is expected to attract over a million people.

Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Visit with organizers, volunteers and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families

Approximately 500 people will bid Pope Francis farewell as he heads back to the Vatican. Vice President Biden and his family will lead the ceremony before His Holiness boards his return flight.

Departure for Rome

Arrivederci Pope Francis! The pope will hold an on-board press conference before taking off. His plane is slated to touch down on Monday.

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Papal visits to philadelphia.

This lesson asks students to complete an inquiry-based analysis of news articles from the papal visits to Philadelphia, in 1979 and 2015, examining them within the context of global issues such as the human rights, poverty, the environment, and materialism. When looking at the articles surrounding both visits, students should think about the point of view of the authors, the ideas presented by the popes, and the interpretation of those ideas.

The articles span from the first visit of Pope John Paul II in 1979 to more recent articles remembering the first visit and articles on Pope Francis in 2015. Engage students by asking questions throughout such as, “How does this interpretation fit the larger context of history both then and now, and how was it influential?” Be sure to compare and contrast how the visit was written about in 1979 with contemporary news accounts to see if or how coverage has changed. These articles offer an opportunity to discuss a diversity of opinions within the community and to tie political and social history to literacy standards.

Essential Questions

Students will be able to:

• Analyze multiple sources on a topic and conclude the point of view of the author.
• Understand how ideas and opinions can change over time by examining multiple primary source documents.

Other Materials

Primary sources:.

Articles and a photo collage from Pope John Paul II’s visit:

• “The Last Papal Visit to Philadelphia: John Paul II in 1979,” Philadelphia Inquirer , Oct. 4, 1979
• “City Greets Pope John Paul II,” Daily Pennsylvanian , Oct. 4, 1979
• Philadelphians Cheer First Paper Visit, 1979 - From Catholic Standard and Times reprinted with permission by CatholicPhilly.com
• Freedom Pope's Theme at Logan Circle Mass, 1979 - From Catholic Standard and Times reprinted with permission by CatholicPhilly.com
• Photo collage from visit - Reprinted with permission by CatholicPhilly.com

Pope John Pual II's homily's and speeches:

• Pope John Paul II’s Homily from Logan Square, Oct. 3, 1979
• Pope John Paul II's Human Rights Speech for the United Nations - from Catholic Standard and Times reprinted with permission from CatholicPhilly.com

Articles remembering Pope John Paul II’s visit:

• Cardinal Rigali, “Thirtieth Anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s Visit to Philadelphia,” 2009
• “Reflecting on Pope John Paul II’s Visit to Philadelphia in 1979”
• “Philly Will be the Safest Place in the World” Our Sunday Visitor
• Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia Papal Visits by William Madges

Articles on Pope Francis:

• Pope Francis, Laudato Si , readers’ guide
• For the most up to date information on Pope Francis’s visit, check Philly.com , ncronline.org , or c atholicphilly.com , and search Pope Francis.

Suggested Instructional Procedures

• Begin the inquiry with a connecting question that will get students thinking about the primary sources in connection to their own lives. Sample questions could be: What role does religion play in your life? What do you consider to be your culture? Do the religious views of others ever influence your actions or beliefs?
• To set the context of the 1970s, have students read a book such as Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. Although it is written in the 1960s, it was an important influence in the fight against the use of chemicals in the natural world. In addition, check out websites such as atomicbombmuseum.org , President Johnson's State of the Union Address (1964), and EarthDay.org to set the 1970s - and the Pope’s visit - into the context of increasing environmental awareness, concerns about poverty, and the continuing effects of the Cold War.
• Introduce Pope John Paul II by providing a brief overview of his life.  Then ask students to read Pope John Paul II’s homily from when he visited Philadelphia in 1979. Ask students to write down the main ideas of the author (the Pope) and how they fit in with what they know about the 1970s. What was the main message the Pope was trying to convey?
• Next, have students read selected primary sources (roughly 2-4) from those listed and write down the main ideas from each. Have students answer the following questions: What was the author’s point of view? What did the articles say were the main ideas of the Pope’s message? Was the article positive or negative in its coverage? Who was writing this article and why? When was it written? Is it a reliable source of information? Students can then compare and contrast the local and national articles as well as compare the articles to what the Pope actually said in his homily. Do you think the articles understood the Pope’s message? Why or why not?
• To understand the bigger picture, students should then place these events in the context of world events. Why was the message important at the time, and how did it relate to issues such as the human rights, poverty, the environment, and consumer culture? Discuss how the 1970s was a time of increased environmental awareness and political participation.
• Take the conversation into the present day and discuss if the issues addressed by Pope John Paul II are still of concern today. Did it create any change in the actions of Philadelphians or Americans?
• As a further discussion, compare and contrast the visit in 1979 to the visit in 2015. What can we learn from this history? Can one person change community attitudes?

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• Philadelphia

A look back at Pope John Paul II’s visit to Philadelphia in 1979

• Neema Roshania Patel

In this Oct. 3, 1979 file photo Pope John Paul II performs an outdoor mass for a huge audience at Logan Circle in Philadelphia. (AP file photo)

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Here's what Philly looked like when the pope visited in 1979 (PHOTOS)

• Updated: Sep. 17, 2015, 7:11 p.m.
• | Published: Sep. 17, 2015, 6:11 p.m.
• Alex Young | For NJ.com

PHILADELPHIA  -- Pope Francis' eagerly-awaited visit is just over a week away, and the city is finalizing its preparations as it expects to welcome more than a million pilgrims for the event.

It's been nearly 40 years, but The City of Brotherly Love has hosted a major papal event before.

Pope John Paul II visited Philadelphia for a mass at Logan Circle on Oct. 3, 1979. Between 1.2 and 2 million people were estimated to have attended the mass, according to a Philadelphia Daily News article , first published on Oct. 4 that year and reposted on philly.com in July.

Similar to the schedule planned for Pope Francis for the weekend of Sept. 26 and 27, Pope John Paul II flew from New York to Philadelphia, where the infamous photo of then-Mayor Frank Rizzo was taken as he kneeled to kiss the pope's ring. The Daily News story described the pope's motorcade driving through the city, then heading to the Cathedral Basillica of Saints Peter and Paul for Mass.

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This time, Pope Francis' schedule includes flying from New York to Philadelphia on Saturday morning and heading straight to the Basillca to celebrate Mass. At 4:45 p.m., he will visit and speak at Independence Hall and then will head to the Festival of Families concert on the Ben Franklin Parkway. There will be a brief parade from Logan Circle to City Hall and back before the pope addresses the crowd.

On Sunday, Pope Francis is scheduled to meet with numerous bishops at the chapel at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, then visit Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility at 11 a.m. He will then head to the Parkway to hold mass at 4 p.m. before departing for Rome.

Alex Young may be reached at [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT . Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook .

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Pope Francis' 2015 U.S. Tour

Philadelphia preps for the pope's visit, its biggest event ever.

Katie Colaneri

Crews are working around the clock to turn Benjamin Franklin Parkway into a world stage. That's where Pope Francis will have two of his largest public appearances during his first trip to the U.S.

Copyright © 2015 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

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Donald Trump and Polish president to visit Catholic shrine in Pennsylvania

By Tyler Arnold

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Sep 18, 2024 / 15:50 pm

(Editor’s note: On Thursday, Sept. 19, it was announced that Trump’s visit to the shrine was canceled.)

Former president Donald Trump and Polish President Andrzej Duda will visit a Polish Marian shrine in the Bucks County suburbs of Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 22.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa is located in Doylestown — about midway between the two most populated cities in eastern Pennsylvania: Philadelphia and Allentown. The Catholic shrine pays homage to the historic Black Madonna icon in the southern Polish town of Czestochowa.

The Trump campaign confirmed with CNA that both leaders will attend the same event at the shrine. 

Father Maximilian Ogar, the press secretary for the shrine, told CNA that Trump and Duda will both be present for the unveiling of a monument at the shrine’s cemetery, which will commemorate the Polish solidarity movement’s fight for independence against the Soviet-backed communist regime of the 1940s through the 1980s. 

The event was organized by the Polish-American Smolensk Disaster Commemoration Committee (SDCC). Ogar could not confirm the exact time of the event but said it would take place in the afternoon. 

Ogar said that Trump and Duda are “both invited guests of the committee” and emphasized that this is neither a rally nor a campaign event. He said the event will be open to “a very limited amount of people,” possibly about 1,000. 

“[Trump is] strictly coming here as a private citizen, as a pilgrim, to pay respect to the people,” Ogar said, adding that “most of the events will be at our cemetery.” 

Following the event, Trump will “spend some time in the shrine” and have the opportunity to answer media questions, according to Ogar. He said Duda would attend Mass at the shrine.

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In 2020 Trump described himself as a “nondenominational Christian.” His wife, Melania, who was born in Slovenia, is Catholic.

The national shrine in eastern Pennsylvania was first constructed in 1955 as a wooden barn chapel. In 1960, the shrine purchased more land and constructed a larger shrine. The icon of the Black Madonna in Doylestown is a copy of the Polish icon and was blessed by St. John XXIII, according to the shrine’s website .

St. John Paul II, the first pope from Poland, visited the American shrine twice as a cardinal. While serving as pontiff, he blessed and signed the Black Madonna icon that is now displayed at the national shrine. Former President George H. W. Bush visited the shrine during his presidential campaign in 1980 and former President Ronald Reagan visited the shrine while serving as president in 1984.

According to legend , the original icon in Poland was painted by St. Luke the Evangelist on a tabletop that was built by Jesus Christ when he was a carpenter. The existence and veneration of the icon in Poland are well documented as early as the 1300s.

Millions of Catholics venerate the icon in Czestochowa every year. For centuries, there have been reports of miraculous events, such as healings, from pilgrims who venerate the icon.

Nearly one-fourth of Pennsylvania’s population is Catholic, slightly above the national average. Nearly 6% of Pennsylvania is of Polish descent, which is more than twice as high as the national average.

(Story continues below)

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Trump has been trying to court Catholic votes during his 2024 presidential campaign. In July, the former president accused the Biden administration of “[going] after Catholics.” In a speech, he called for “stop[ping] the Biden-Harris administration’s weaponization of law enforcement against Americans of faith.” 

Trump has been critical of Vice President Kamala Harris for her aggressive questioning of his judicial nominees about being members of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization. He has also criticized the Biden-Harris administration over a leaked Richmond FBI memo that called for an investigation into supposed ties between traditionalist Catholicism and white nationalism and has criticized the arrests of Catholic and other pro-life activists who are in jail for violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.

Both campaigns have engaged in a contentious fight for the Catholic vote. The Harris campaign is hosting a “Catholics for Harris-Walz National Organizing Call” to court Catholic votes on Wednesday evening, Sept. 18. 

Bucks County is an important battleground in the swing state of Pennsylvania. President Joe Biden won the county by less than 4.4 percentage points in 2020 and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won the county by about three-quarters of a percentage point in 2016.

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Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa will host Trump. What is this Bucks County landmark?

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa draws visitors from around the world to Central Bucks County.

Located on Beacon Hill in Doylestown overlooking Peace Valley Park, the international landmark provides a place for prayer, reflection, learning and self-guided tours at its 170-acre campus with two churches, chapels, retreat house, visitor's center, religious articles center, Polish language school, museum, bookstore, gift shop, cafeteria and Polish deli.

Each year, the shrine holds a Polish-American festival over two weekends that draws over 30,000 people from around the region.

And on Sunday, Donald Trump is scheduled to pay a visit to the shrine , his campaign confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

But what makes this place of worship so significant goes well beyond its upcoming visit from the former president and 2024 candidate. So, here are some interesting things to know about this highly-regarded cultural and religious destination:

Our Lady of Czestochowa shrine in Doylestown started with a small barn chapel

The history of the shrine in Central Bucks County dates back to 1951, when Father Michael Zembrzuski came to the United States, according to Our Lady of Czestochowa's website .

He brought with him a copy of the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, blessed by Pope St. John XXIII, with the hopes of establishing an American shrine similar to one in Czestochowa, Poland.

In 1953, Zembrzuski was granted permission by the Holy See and Cardinal O’Hara of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to establish the shrine on land he purchased in the municiplaity of New Britain Township, which has a postal address of Doylestown.

The shrine held its first mass in a small wooden barn two years later, and it would be another five years until there was a following, and the funds needed, to acquire more property for a proper chapel in 1960.

The groundbreaking and construction of the shrine began in 1964, and the shrine was finished and a dedication was held in 1966.

Today, the shrine built almost 60 years ago remains a towering centerpiece of the grounds, while additional structures have been added over time, including the Ave Maria Retreat House, Visitor Center and the Lower Chapel. The barn chapel was transported in its entirety and relocated to its current location at the shrine's cemetery in 1972.

Three former U.S. presidents have visited Our Lady of Czestochowa shrine

According to the shrine's website, in 1966, Lyndon B. Johnson and his family attended a ceremony during which the new shrine was dedicated in honor of Our Lady of Czestochowa.

George H. W. Bush also visited the shrine, as he campaigned for the Republican presidential nomination ahead of the 1980 primary election.

And in 1984, Ronald Reagan came to the shrine for the conclusion of the annual Polish-American Festival, the website said.

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Pope John Paul II visited the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa three times

Pope John Paul II, who would later be canonized a saint, visited the shrine three times in its history, though his first two visits were before he was named pope and instead was Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, Archbishop of Krakow.

The future pope's first visit was in 1969, and he returned in 1976 with the delegation of Polish Bishops for the 41st International Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia.

In 1980, two years after he was elected pope and took the name John Paul, he visited the shrine again. This time he blessed and signed the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, which is currently located in the lower church of the shrine's chapel.

A large statue of the pope greets visitors in front of the shrine and another bust sits inside.

Shrine of Czestochowa cemetery holds the heart of a Polish statesman

The cemetery at the shrine also has a bronze statue containing the heart of Poland’s third prime minister, Ignacy Jan Paderewski.

Paderewski, who died on June 29, 1940, was a pianist and composer who traveled the United States during World War I to raise money and build a pro-Polish movement. He served as the prime minister from January to November 1919.

Paderewski resigned from office after “realizing that forming a national union and attaining peace with the Soviet government were impossibilities,” according to archived information online from Arlington National Cemetery, where his body was entombed until after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Upon his death, then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt offered to give the former statesmen a “temporary resting place” in America, saying “he may lie there until Poland is free,” the Arlington archive adds.

While Paderewski’s body was returned to Poland in 1992, his final wishes were for his heart to remain in America.

How to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa is located at 654 Ferry Road in Doylestown. It is open seven days a week year round. Check online for the specific visiting hours of its various chapels and facilities. The Trump campaign has not announced details of his campaign visit and how the public can attend.