The World Meeting of Families Mural Painting attempts to set a Guinness World Record

The World Meeting of Families is hoping to appear in the Guinness Book of World Records by the end of the week. It has been months in the making and many hands have played a part in finishing a special mural commemorating the visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia. The mural is broken into panels which are being… Read More The World Meeting of Families Mural Painting attempts to set a Guinness World Record

You Can Bring Your Own Chair for Events on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for Pope’s Visit

From the Secret Service: -The smaller or more compact the chair, the easier and quicker it is to verify that it is safe. -Individuals may not arrive at security checkpoints with numerous or cumbersome chairs because screening these items will unreasonably slow the screening process for everyone else. -Chairs that are composed of metal poles… Read More You Can Bring Your Own Chair for Events on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for Pope’s Visit

Aretha Franklin to Sing Amazing Grace for Pope Francis

Franklin will be singing Amazing Grace, her biggest selling record and the largest selling gospel record of all time. The second selection is a surprise.  Franklin says she’s excited to perform for Pope Francis, a man she calls a humble leader. Franklin will present the Pontiff with a special gift; a box set of her sermons written… Read More Aretha Franklin to Sing Amazing Grace for Pope Francis

Pope Francis to Receive a Custom Bicycle from the City of Philadelphia

Pope Francis will be given a custom Breezer bike when he arrives in the City of Brotherly Love this weekend. Advanced Sports International, which produces Breezer bikes, is based in Philadelphia.  Mayor Michael Nutter and the Philadelphia Bicycling Advocacy Board presented the gift to Archbishop Charles Chaput in a ceremony held at the Philadelphia Convention… Read More Pope Francis to Receive a Custom Bicycle from the City of Philadelphia

Saint Maria Goretti is in Philadelphia for the First Time

Adding to the excitement of a week-long celebration for The World Meeting of Families, seeing Saint Maria Goretti’s remains a highlight of the week. The fact that it’s her body, her remains, is very attractive to the pilgrims. They see her as a powerful symbol of forgiveness and innocence. Saint Maria Goretti was one of… Read More Saint Maria Goretti is in Philadelphia for the First Time

New Light Fixtures being installed around Philadelphia for Pope’s Visit

A small Lititz, Pennsylvania business will help to shed new light on Pope Francis when he comes to Philadelphia this weekend. Keystone Koating has applied a powder-coating finish to 274 new street lights that have been installed in the city for the pontiff’s visit. Once the object is coated, the object is placed in an oven,… Read More New Light Fixtures being installed around Philadelphia for Pope’s Visit

Parking Available at Camden Waterfront for Pope Francis’ Visit

8,000 Parking spots are available at The Susquehanna Bank Center on the Camden Waterfront for the Papal Weekend. To able to get your car past security and road closures, you must pre-register online and purchase a special permit at a cost of $43.78. Once you park, you have three options to get to Philadelphia: PATCO,… Read More Parking Available at Camden Waterfront for Pope Francis’ Visit

Philadelphia Orchestra releases Playlist for Pope Francis’ Visit

This is a tentative list of the music The Philadelphia Orchestra will perform for Pope Francis: Beethoven “Welten singen Dank und Ehre,” from Christ on the Mount of Olives Brahms Third movement from Symphony No. 3 Mendelssohn “Verleih’ uns Frieden” Dvořák Second movement from Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”) Latona “Look Up and… Read More Philadelphia Orchestra releases Playlist for Pope Francis’ Visit

City of Philadelphia Parking, Security, Logistics & Transportation Information for Pope Francis’ visit

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA RELEASES INFORMATION IN PREPARATION FOR WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES AND PAPAL VISIT   Philadelphia, September 16, 2015 – The City of Philadelphia released details about its preparations for the World Meeting of Families – 2015 Philadelphia from Tuesday, September 22nd until Friday, September 25th, and the Papal Visit during the weekend of… Read More City of Philadelphia Parking, Security, Logistics & Transportation Information for Pope Francis’ visit

Vice President Joe Biden to bid farewell to Pope Francis in Philadelphia

Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, will lead the farewell ceremony for Pope Francis in Philadelphia next Sunday, the White House has announced. Biden, who is weighing whether to run for president in 2016, will also join President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama in welcoming the pope when he lands at… Read More Vice President Joe Biden to bid farewell to Pope Francis in Philadelphia

Road, Highway & Bridge Closures from Penndot & DRPA for Pope Francis’ Visit

Major highways and the Ben Franklin bridge will close and traffic will be restricted in the city during Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia. MAJOR HIGHWAYS The following highway closures will start at 10 p.m. on Friday, September 25th: *I-76 eastbound from I-476 to I-95 *I-76 westbound from I-95 to US Route 1 *I-676 will be… Read More Road, Highway & Bridge Closures from Penndot & DRPA for Pope Francis’ Visit

Cunningham Piano Company to provide Organ for Papal Mass

The Cunningham Piano Company of Germantown will provide The Rodgers organ. It is well known for being closest to the sound of a pipe organ, which by definition is not portable; they are built into a structure and cannot be moved. The Rodgers organ is favored by the Holy See for its outdoor Masses in Italy. The Cunningham… Read More Cunningham Piano Company to provide Organ for Papal Mass

Local Bucks County Company is making Rugs for the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia

Langhorne Carpet Company, located in Penndel, PA, is making rugs for Pope Francis’s visit to Philadelphia. The Red wool rug pictured will be used for the arrival and departure of Pope Francis at Philadelphia Airport. The rug is approximately 9 feet wide by 75 feet long and features a gold border. Two similar rugs woven in Green wool will be used at… Read More Local Bucks County Company is making Rugs for the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia

Secret Service to Release 3-D Simulation Video for Papal Visit Security Zones

On Thursday, Mayor Michael Nutter and Secret Service officials showed video of this 3-D simulation of security zones during the papal visit. The Secret Secret said it will not make these simulated videos available to the public at this time, but it did provide a clearer image of what the security parameters will look like. Each… Read More Secret Service to Release 3-D Simulation Video for Papal Visit Security Zones

City of Philadelphia Releases Car Parking Map for Papal Visit

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter announced the city’s parking plan for some residents during the papal visit. He announced towing of cars parked in designated areas of Center City – that are not moved – with be towed starting Sunday, September 20th. Notices will go out by Monday, September 14th for the parking zones. This is to accommodate… Read More City of Philadelphia Releases Car Parking Map for Papal Visit

Support The World Meeting of Families – Pop Up Shop Opens in Philadelphia

A store with Official Pope Francis’ visit to the United States and Philadelphia is open in the lobby of the Aramark Tower at 11th and Market. It’s the first pop-up store selling official World Meeting of Families merchandise and papal souvenirs. Other stores are soon to open at the Convention Center, and at the papal events along the Ben… Read More Support The World Meeting of Families – Pop Up Shop Opens in Philadelphia

Sister Mary Scullion attends Community Dinner in Philadelphia

Sister Mary Scullion is cochair of the Hunger and Homelessness Committee. The dinner was part of the committee’s mission to heighten awareness, raise funds to fight poverty, sponsor a devotional art project, and campaign to lobby Congress to address hunger, homelessness, and criminal justice reform. The event organized by the Hunger and Homelessness Committee of the World… Read More Sister Mary Scullion attends Community Dinner in Philadelphia

Campground to be open for Pope Francis’ visit in September

From Philly.com Visitors to Philadelphia for this month’s papal visit have yet another lodging option: camping in Fairmount Park. A campground called “Francis Fields” is being set up in East Fairmount Park for pilgrims. The entrance to the campground will be on the 1600 block of North 33rd Street in the Strawberry Mansion section. Campers will… Read More Campground to be open for Pope Francis’ visit in September

Papal Mass Entertainment Schedule Released

From Catholic Philly People attending the address by Pope Francis at Independence Hall won’t have to sit idly on the grassy mall for hours before he arrives. A diverse musical bill featuring the Philly Pops Festival Brass ensemble will entertain an expected 30,000 people on Saturday, Sept. 26. The renowned Philadelphia group will perform American… Read More Papal Mass Entertainment Schedule Released

Septa is Adding Stops to Broad Street Line & Market Frankford Line for Pope Francis’ Visit

Riders can purchase 3-Day Papal Transit Passes for $10 – $5 if you qualify for a reduced fare – that cover travel on subways trains, buses and trolleys from Saturday, Sept. 26 to Monday, Sept. 28. Those tickets as well as tokens can be purchased at SEPTA sales locations. Cash can also be used to… Read More Septa is Adding Stops to Broad Street Line & Market Frankford Line for Pope Francis’ Visit