A bilingual version of Maine-based pop artist Robert Indiana’s “LOVE” sculpture with the leaning letter O is going on display next week outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art, near where the pope’s altar is being built. Amor means love in the pope’s native Spanish and in Latin, a traditional language of the Roman Catholic Church.… Read More AMOR Sculpture Coming to Philadelphia for Pope’s Visit
As a segue between the Franklin Institute’s Art of the Brick exhibit and their Vatican Splendors exhibit, the museum now has a huge Lego replica of the Vatican on display in their atrium. Father Bob Simon is a priest who dabbled in Legos. He recently completed a replica of The Vatican, now on display at… Read More Lego Replica of the Vatican on Display at The Franklin Institute
When Pope Francis comes to Philadelphia next month, will you bow to tradition and kiss the Fisherman’s Ring, shake hands with the Holy Father, or attempt for a papal selfie? The Diocese of Metuchen is offering some advice to the faithful heading to Philadelphia for Francis this September. Millions are expected for the Sept. 26-27… Read More If You Meet Pope Francis… Papal Etiquette Review
In honor of the first visit by Pope Francis and the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, the Penn Museum offers a special focus on the ancient Near East, Egypt, and the Bible Lands—with a limited-time-only display of rare artifacts from the collections of the University of Pennsylvania, on view August 15 through November 8,… Read More University of Pennsylvania Special Exhibition for Pope Francis’ 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
Pope Francis will wave from a Popemobile created from a Jeep Wrangler, the Vatican has announced. This is not the first time the pontiff has used a Jeep—a four-door Wrangler (seen above) served papal duty on the Pope’s trip to Ecuador in July. The exact configuration of the U.S. Popemobile has not been announced, but the… Read More Pope Francis will tour Philadelphia in a Jeep Wrangler
The World Meeting of Families will release a full list of items people can bring with them, but for now unopened water bottles will be permitted. They also say visitors should assume that clear bags will be preferred, as well as ponchos instead of umbrellas. They’re also encouraging people to bring extra cellphone batteries because charging… Read More Partial List of What to Bring to WMOF Parkway Festival & Papal Mass
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
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
Our Mother of Consolation is located in Chestnut Hill at 9 East Chestnut Hill Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19118, just a few minutes north of downtown Philadelphia. Our Mother of Consolation Parish has been preparing for Pope Francis’ visit for over a year. Preparing meant a lot of introspection and study – it can really help prepare the heart and mind… Read More Local Parish Spotlight – Our Mother of Consolation in Chestnut Hill
The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 with Museum of the Bible today announced that Verbum Domini II: God’s Word Goes Out to the Nations will be on display at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Monday, September 21 – September 26, 2015 as a special exhibit celebrating the World Meeting of Families Congress and the… Read More The World Meeting of Families Special Bible Exhibition at The Pennsylvania Convention Center
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
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
They waved black and gold towels and sang along to a familiar polka, but the 100 or so people gathered Saturday at St. Paul Seminary in East Carnegie, Pittsburgh to prepare for their journey next month to Philadelphia, where they will attend the World Meeting of Families and experience Pope Francis’ visit to the city.… Read More Local Parish Spotlight – Archdiocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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
The most up to date map can be found here https://papalvisitphiladelphia.wordpress.com/category/maps This map is the final version for the Security Perimeter and Fencing to be used for the Pope’s visit in September. The red outlines are completely fenced off areas, metal detectors will be used to gain access to these areas. The black outline shows where… Read More Up to Date Security Perimeter Fence Papal Visit Map
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
The Diocese of Allentown is organizing a public viewing of Pope Francis’ Papal Mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27 in Bethlehem. The public viewing will be at SteelStacks in Bethlehem to provide local residents who are unable to make it to Philadelphia the opportunity to experience the Papal Mass as a community.
New Jersey Transit released the Public Transportation Plans today for the Atlantic City Line and the River Line. On the Atlantic City line, there aren’t any station stops between Atlantic City and Philadelphia’s 30th St. Station. You can read the full details below. On the River Line, there will be only 4 stops at Bordentown,… Read More New Jersey Transit Map Papal Visit
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
Philadelphia is home to many beautiful Catholic Churches, and many are located in Center City Philadelphia. St. John the Evangelist Church is located at 21 South 13th Street, just steps from City Hall. The Church was consecrated in 1832. It is open daily. More information can be found at their website http://www.stjohnsphilly.com
Visitors who need a place to stay can live aboard the Battleship New Jersey, docked in Camden directly across the river from Philadelphia. There are 400 bunks for $75 per person for a night between Sept. 22 and Sept. 26. Those are the same bunks where sailors slept. The price includes breakfast and dinner. Guests also will… Read More Places to Stay – Sleep on The Battleship New Jersey during Pope’s Visit to Philadelphia
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
Artist Meg Saligman is creating grottoes of knotted ribbons near the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul for the Pope’s visit. Visitors are encouraged to write their problems on a paper ribbon and tie it to the grotto, physically leaving their problem behind. Visitors can also remove an existing ribbon to help. Meg will… Read More Leave your worries behind on Paper Ribbons for the Pope
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.
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
The consumer protection agency is warning of possible ticketing scams related to Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia. There are no tickets for sale for any events, the only ticketed event may be the Pope’s speech at Independence Hall, but no specific details have been released yet. If anyone tries to sell you a ticket, be extra cautious,… Read More Scammers attentions turned to Papal Visit
Francisco Santamaria of Nicaragua and Fausto Hernandez of the Dominican Republic are day laborers from Don Bosco Workers and Obreros Unidos de Yonkers, chosen by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York to build the chair, altar and lectern for the Papal Mass in Philadelphia.
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
Owned by a private collector and on loan to the Union League of Philadelphia, President Abraham Lincoln’s Lectern that he used to deliver the Gettysburg address will be used by Pope Francis during his speech at Independence Mall on Saturday, September 26, 2015.
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
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
Here is the most up to date map for the Pope’s Visit in September. Save it to your phone. Tour bus drop off locations are all outside the vehicle perimeter, so expect to walk a couple of miles to your destination. There will be multiple checkpoints set up, and there will be more on the… Read More Up to date Road & Highway Closure Pope Francis Visit Philadelphia
The official map is here, roads will be closed to vehicles from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River. The Ben Franklin Bridge will be closed, and parts of West Philadelphia will also be closed to vehicles. Also, many major highways will begin closing on Thursday Night, September 24. During the weekend, PennDOT is also… Read More Official Road Closure Plan for the City of Philadelphia Papal Visit
Pope Francis In Philadelphia 