Category: Philadelphia
Pilgrims walk to see Pope Francis in Philadelpia
Fr. Lombardi, administrator of St. Peter, Hancock and St. Patrick in Baltimore, Maryland, will help lead about 20 pilgrims on a walk to Philadelphia to see Pope Francis. The trek is about 104 miles and will take place in the week before Pope Francis arrives in Philly to attend the World Meeting of Families and… Read More Pilgrims walk to see Pope Francis in Philadelpia
Knot Sculpture will be installed at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul for Pope’s Visit
The 20 feet wide and 13 feet tall knot sculpture will be on display for the world to see in front of the Cathedral Basilica on the Parkway. Daniel Ostrov is the lead artist of the piece, which is called “Knot Grotto.” The purpose of the structure is it’s a visual representation of people’s prayers and struggles that… Read More Knot Sculpture will be installed at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul for Pope’s Visit
Shrine Tour – Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters in Philadelphia, PA
Located at 2212 Green Street in Philadelphia, The Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters are also known as the Pink Sisters. Their Mission as a cloistered, contemplative-missionary Congregation, is the service of perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. They follow in a life of poverty, chastity and obedience, and adore God on behalf of their brothers and sisters throughout the… Read More Shrine Tour – Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters in Philadelphia, PA
Vatican City will Issue World Meeting of Families Stamp
Vatican City’s postal service has released the design of its stamp commemorating the World of the Family Meeting in Philadelphia. The 2.30 Euro ($2.50) stamp shows families from different parts of the world against a backdrop featuring elements of the city’s skyline and the Liberty Bell. The Vatican is a city-state and issues its own stamps… Read More Vatican City will Issue World Meeting of Families Stamp
Aerial Drone Tour of Philadelphia Released in High Definition
Philly By Air, a high-quality aerial photography firm based in Philadelphia, has launched a video ahead of Pope Francis’ visit to the city on Sept. 26-27. It can seen on the Philly By Air blog at http://www.phillybyair.com/blog The video, filmed with drones in ultra HD 4K, provides an aerial tour of the city and includes such landmarks as… Read More Aerial Drone Tour of Philadelphia Released in High Definition
Transportation Update – Tour Bus Parking Information
Buses and RVs will fill the parking lots at Philadelphia’s sports complex for Pope Francis’ visit next month. The lots at Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field and Wells Fargo Center will be primary bus parking locations during the Sept. 26-27 visit. Transportation manager Go Ground says additional parking locations will be determined by the final number… Read More Transportation Update – Tour Bus Parking Information
Papal Visit Playbook – Things to do in and around Philadelphia
From the World Meeting of Families The focus of the Papal Visit will be on Philadelphia – making Philadelphia the true centerpiece of this historic visit, although he will be making stops in Washington, D.C. and New York City. If you aren’t making plans to participate in the public Papal events during the weekend of… Read More Papal Visit Playbook – Things to do in and around Philadelphia
Papal Visit Playbook – Calendar of Events Week of September 20
From The World Meeting of Families Papal Playbook Tuesday, September 22 – Friday, September 25, 2015: The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 Congress is being held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. This event is expected to attract an estimated 17,000 people from as many as 150 nations. Based on responses thus far, this… Read More Papal Visit Playbook – Calendar of Events Week of September 20
Interesting Volunteer Information and Statistics
Volunteers will greet and direct pilgrims, provide translation services, aid guests with special needs and perform a variety of other roles, including posting images and messages on social media, organizers from the World Meeting of Families said. Six weeks before the pope’s visit, nearly 8,000 had already passed criminal and employment background checks. The checks… Read More Interesting Volunteer Information and Statistics
Papal Visit Playbook – How to Prepare to Visit Philadelphia For the WMOF15
From the World Meeting of Families Papal Playbook World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 Papal Visit Playbook: How to Prepare You’ve already taken step one in preparing; you’re reading the Papal Visit Playbook. This guide will continue to provide you updates that will help you enjoy and take full advantage of this memorable event,… Read More Papal Visit Playbook – How to Prepare to Visit Philadelphia For the WMOF15
Local Parish Spotlight – St. Leo Magnus Catholic Church in Elk, Pennsylvania
St. Leo Magnus Catholic Church is located in Elk Township, Pennsylvania at 111 Depot Street, Ridgway. Pa. 15853. Part of the Diocese of Elk, Pa, St. Leo’s will be taking several buses to Philadelphia. 250 students from St. Leo Magnus and other smaller parishes are going to take a 6 day pilgrimage to Philadelphia in September… Read More Local Parish Spotlight – St. Leo Magnus Catholic Church in Elk, Pennsylvania
Septa Announces Transportation plans prior to Pope’s Visit
SEPTA has announced new specifics of its transit plans in the two days leading up to the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia. The plans cover the period after 10 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, when the Secret Service begins imposing a no-car zone in a large area around the Ben Franklin Parkway and Independence Hall. At… Read More Septa Announces Transportation plans prior to Pope’s Visit
Philadelphia Residents can sign up for the Papal Visit Playbook
The World Meeting of Families will be offering a Papal Visit Playbook for Philadelphia residents on August 24, 2015. All you need to do is click on the link below and fill out your information. http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/papalplaybook
Delaware Catholics prepare for the Papal Visit in September
St. John The Beloved Catholic Church in Wilmington recently, Luz Heredia said she plans to wait until September to decide if she’s taking her family to see the Holy Father in person. At St. John The Beloved Catholic Church in Wilmington, parishioners are feverishly finalizing their plans to to see the Holy Father in person. It is… Read More Delaware Catholics prepare for the Papal Visit in September
Philadelphia Museum of Art will feature Special Exhibition for Pope Francis’ Visit
Discover paintings, sculptures and architectural spaces inspired by the Christian Faith. In celebration of the World Meeting of Families and Pope Francis’s visit to Philadelphia, this self-guided walking tour introduces you to several of the Museum’s most beautiful and moving images of Christian faith from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, with a particular emphasis on… Read More Philadelphia Museum of Art will feature Special Exhibition for Pope Francis’ Visit
City of Philadelphia will open a Hotline for Local Businesses
Beginning Monday morning, businesses located in Philadelphia will be able to call a commerce department hotline to ask questions about how to deal with restrictions due to the Papal Visit. Food truck owners are concerned that they won’t be able to get out of the traffic box to get supplies. Many believe that logistically working will be impossible. Big… Read More City of Philadelphia will open a Hotline for Local Businesses
Pope Francis’ image added to local Mural
Located at 347 S. 13th Street, Dirty Frank’s features a mural with more than 20 famous Franks including Benjamin Franklin and Frank Sinatra. “Pope Frank” is the first addition in more than 14 years and his inclusion in the mural guarantees his place at one of Philadelphia’s most established watering holes. Stop by for a selfie with… Read More Pope Francis’ image added to local Mural
New Jersey Transit is Selling Special Papal Passes Today
New Jersey Transit is now selling special transportation passes for September 26 & 27. It is for two train lines only, The Atlantic City Line with approximately 1,100 tickets available for each day, and the River Line with approximately 4,100 tickets available each day. The Atlantic City line will be an express train from Atlantic… Read More New Jersey Transit is Selling Special Papal Passes Today
Up to Date Map for Papal Visit with Security Perimeter, Vehicle Zones, Security Areas, Fencing and Transporation
This should be the final map from the City of Philadelphia for Pope Francis’ visit in September. If you are arriving on Amtrak from anywhere on the Northeast Corridor you will have to walk from 30th Street Station to your destination. If you are coming in on New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Line, you will… Read More Up to Date Map for Papal Visit with Security Perimeter, Vehicle Zones, Security Areas, Fencing and Transporation
Collectible of the Day – Support the World Meeting of Families
You can purchase the 10 ounce Pope Francis World Meeting of Families Lenox Commemorative Ivory Bone China gilded mug for $60 on the World Meeting of Families website. Click on http://shop.worldmeeting2015.org/product/148290
Local Parish Spotlight – Old St. Mary’s Church in Philadelphia
Another beautiful local parish in downtown Philadelphia is Old St. Mary’s Church. It is located at 252 South 4th Street, just steps from Independence Mall. Daily masses are said here. Old St. Mary’s was the second Roman Catholic Church in Philadelphia. It was built in 1763. You can find more information on their website at http://www.oldstmary.com
Collectible of the Day – Plush Pope Doll is a big seller
Pope Francis memorabilia is everywhere in the city, but one has recently begun to standout, the Plush Pope. Selling over 50,000 units already, the Plush Pope is available on the World Meeting of Families website for $20. You can find it here at http://shop.worldmeeting2015.org/product/146239
Local Parish Spotlight – Old St. Joseph’s Church in Philadelphia
Located between 3rd and 4th streets near Walnut Street, Old St. Joseph’s Church is just a few blocks away from Independence Mall. It is open daily for masses. Old St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church is Philadelphia’s oldest Catholic community. It was founded by Jesuits in 1733 and is still staffed by Jesuits and their lay colleagues.… Read More Local Parish Spotlight – Old St. Joseph’s Church in Philadelphia
Sister Mary Scullion Visits Philadelphia in behalf of the Homeless
Sr. Mary Scullion is encouraging people to combat poverty and homelessness through her Mercy and Justice Initiative. Organized by the World Meeting of Families’ Hunger and Homelessness Committee, Sr. Mary Scullion asked Philadelphians to lessen poverty’s presence in the city by donating to the effort. She handed out pamphlets on the Mercy & Justice Initiative while she was… Read More Sister Mary Scullion Visits Philadelphia in behalf of the Homeless
New Jersey Transit Announces Train Schedules for Atlantic City Line and Riverline
NJ TRANSIT will offer limited special service on its Atlantic City Rail Line and River Line for people attending the World Meeting of Families and Papal visit on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, 2015. The service is limited in order to keep crowd numbers consistent with the maximum capacity that will be available.… Read More New Jersey Transit Announces Train Schedules for Atlantic City Line and Riverline
Volunteer Update – World Meeting of Families
As of today, about 9,000 people have signed up to volunteer for the World Meeting of Families. The volunteers will tackle the everyday logistics associated with a papal visit, including helping guests by interpreting languages, answering questions and giving directions. The Volunteers will have access to Emergency Phone numbers and proprietary apps to make everyone’s visit to Philadelphia… Read More Volunteer Update – World Meeting of Families
Up To Date Papal Visit Map & Road Closures
Here is the revised map showing sample walking distances from various points in Philadelphia. It also shows the locations of various events, which highways are closed, security perimeters and transportation information.
Bike Map Released by Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia for Pope’s Visit
The Bicycle Coalition has released an interactive Bicycle map of the city in advance of the Pope’s visit. They have created an online map detailing the security perimeter, bicycle lanes and trails in and around the City. Many questions remain at this point as to where there will be places to park bicycles and if trails through the city will be… Read More Bike Map Released by Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia for Pope’s Visit
Verizon spending Millions of Dollars by adding Cell Phone Towers around the City of Philadelphia
Verizon is spending an estimated $20 million dollars for upgrades and improvements to it’s cellphone and wireless business in downtown Philadelphia. They will be deploying mobile cell sites, are upgrading existing sites and are building new cell sites so that the expected 2 million visitors texts and call go through when the Pope is in… Read More Verizon spending Millions of Dollars by adding Cell Phone Towers around the City of Philadelphia
Shrine Tours – The Archdiocesan Shrine of Gianna Beretta Molla
The Shrine is located north of Philadelphia at The Nativity of Our Lord Church, 625 West Street Road, Warminster, PA 18974. Saint Gianna was born in Magenta, Italy in 1922 and dies in 1962 at the age of 39. She was canonized in 2004. The canonization of Saint Gianna is the first of its kind. Many mothers have been… Read More Shrine Tours – The Archdiocesan Shrine of Gianna Beretta Molla
Sneakers will be the shoes of choice for Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia
Everyone who want to attend any of the event for Pope Francis’ visit in September will be required to walk for miles unless you are coming in to the city on Public Transportation like the Septa Regional Rail lines or using Patco. Most of the downtown area will be closed to traffic, including tour buses.… Read More Sneakers will be the shoes of choice for Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia
Septa Regional Rail tickets for sale online
If you missed getting the tickets you needed for Septa Regional Rail, tickets are available on Ebay from $20-$50 each. You can find them at http://www.ebay.com
City of Philadelphia Newest Map Released Today
The City of Philadelphia released a new map today showing the security zones and the timing of the closures in each zone. It was announced on extrazoom.com.
The World Meeting of Families Announces Volunteer App
From The World Meeting of Families The World Meeting of Families — Philadelphia 2015 has announced the launch of a new interactive training experience for its 10,000 volunteers utilizing Scavify, a mobile appplication. The app will prepare volunteers for myriad roles by allowing them to complete a series of challenges to test their knowledge of… Read More The World Meeting of Families Announces Volunteer App
Philadelphia Schools and Businesses will be closing early for Pope Francis visit
Philadelphia Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, September 23 and Friday, September 25. The superintendent of schools is now requesting the school system also be closed on Thursday, September 24 after the release of the initial Security and Logisitical Maps released by the City. Local businesses are also considering closing as early as Noon on… Read More Philadelphia Schools and Businesses will be closing early for Pope Francis visit
Ticket Distribution up in the air for Pope’s Speech at Independence Mall
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia says it’s in discussions with the U.S. Secret Service, the National Park Service, and the City of Philadelphia to explore the possibility of a ticketing system for the Pope’s speech at Independence Mall. The final decisions on that haven’t been made yet, but everything is in progress there.” If tickets are… Read More Ticket Distribution up in the air for Pope’s Speech at Independence Mall
Reading Terminal Market does not know if it will be open during Pope’s Visit
The Reading Terminal Market, located next to The Philadelphia Convention Center, has yet to determine if they will be open during the Pope’s visit. They will decide in the next couple of weeks based on the new Road Closure Map unveiled by the City of Philadelphia yesterday.
100,000 people a day expected to walk across the Ben Franklin Bridge
Walking will be the only option for some who want to join the World Meeting of Families and Papal visit in Philadelphia in late September. Local law enforcement is gearing up for up to 100,000 people per day crossing the Bridge. There will be security checkpoints before getting into the City of Philadelphia. So after… Read More 100,000 people a day expected to walk across the Ben Franklin Bridge
Check your Inbox – Septa Regional Rail Pass Lottery Winner Email
Sample Email Below We are pleased to notify you that you have been randomly selected to purchase the following Special One Day Regional Rail Passes: Saturday, 8:30 AM – 12 Noon 1 x Train Station: X Train Station, Full fare $10.00 Shipping & handling: $1.95 Order total: $11.95 Note: Your travel date, station, and travel… Read More Check your Inbox – Septa Regional Rail Pass Lottery Winner Email
Pope Francis In Philadelphia 