OVER the weekend, Pope Francis made a final stop during his historic six-day US visit to Philadelphia, to continue spreading his message of hope to diverse audiences, including immigrants, prison inmates, victims of sexual abuse, and Christian families from around the world.
Pope Francis arrived in Philadelphia on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 26, to celebrate a Holy Mass with the bishops and clergymen and women religious of Pennsylvania. The mass was held at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, the mother church of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
“What about you?” the pope asked, speaking in his native Spanish to priests, deacons, and consecrated religious men and women, to remind them of their mission of building up the church. “How many young people in our parishes and schools have the same high ideals, generosity of spirit, and love for Christ and the Church! Do we challenge them? Do we make space for them and help them to do their part? Do we share our own joy and enthusiasm in serving the Lord?”
He also called on the importance of women in the modern church, citing the example of St. Katharine Drexel, an heiress from Philadelphia who founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, and used her wealth to support minority students in the early 1900s.
After the Mass and visit to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Pope Francis greeted a crowd of thousands from the steps of Philadelphia’s historic Independence Mall, only a few feet from the building where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed. Thousands gathered to catch a glimpse of the “Popemobile”– a modest black Fiat 500–and chanted, “Francisco!” and “Viva Papa!”
In his remarks, the pontiff talked about the importance of cultural heritage, also tying America’s historic founding to religious freedom, which he has been advocating for throughout the trip. He championed religious diversity and “compassion for those in need,” Huffington Post and the News Journal reported.
“I ask you not to forget that, like those who came here before you, you bring many gifts to your new nation. You should never be ashamed of your traditions,” Francis said. “I repeat, do not be ashamed of what is part of you, your lifeblood.”
Pope Francis’ pro-immigrant message has echoed throughout his tour, from his historic address to Congress last Thursday, Sept. 24 to the Mass of thousands celebrated Friday night, Sept. 25 at Madison Square Garden in New York, reported the Los Angeles Times. He called for compassion and understanding towards immigrants, calling on Americans to minister to the disadvantaged and forgotten in society.
“Many of you have emigrated to this country at great personal cost, but in the hope of building a new life. Do not be discouraged by whatever challenges and hardships you face… you are called to be responsible citizens, and to contribute fruitfully to the life of the communities in which you live,” the pontiff said.
“He talks not like a pope, but like someone from my town, like a normal person,” Gerardo Flores, a Philadelphian and immigrant from Mexico, told the Los Angeles Times. “His words are going to change the ideas of the politicians.”
Later, the pope concluded his first day in Philadelphia at the Vatican-sponsored Festival of Families, as part of the World Meeting of Families along Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The event included live performances from comedian Jim Gaffigan, the Philadelphia Orchestra, singer Aretha Franklin, Andrea Bocelli, and Juanes, according to the Associated Press.
Actor Mark Wahlberg welcomed the pope before he led the crowd of over 20,000 people in prayer: “Holy Father, welcome to Philadelphia…the City of Brotherly Love.”
Families are “a factory of hope,” Pope Francis addressed the crowd in Spanish, reported CNN. “In the family, indeed, there are difficulties. But those difficulties are overcome with love.”
“Hatred is not capable of dealing with any difficulty and overcoming any difficulty. Division of hearts cannot overcome any difficulty. Only love. Only love is able to overcome. Love is about celebration, love is joy, love is moving forward.”
Papal message of healing to victims, prisoners, and believers
On his final day in the US, Sept. 27, Pope Francis had a packed schedule filled with visits, farewell remarks, and a Holy Mass for the people.
He spoke to about 300 bishops and religious at the chapel at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, where he stayed overnight in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania. The seminary was also visited by St. John Paul II in 1797, as well as Blessed Mother Teresa and then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI.
The pope spoke on the serious issue of sexual abuse in the church, saying that “God weeps for the sexual abuse of children,” and apologizing on behalf of the number of priests and religious persons involved in such scandals.
At the meeting, he also met with several victims to pray with them.
“Please know that the Holy Father hears you and believes you. I deeply regret that some bishops failed in their responsibility to protect children. It is very disturbing to know that in some cases bishops were even abusers.”
Francis has created a Vatican tribunal to address the issue; also to prosecute clergy members and bishops who fail to protect victims, the Washington Post reported.
Later in the day, he visited inmates at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia, going row by row to greet prisoners with sincere smiles and, for some, heartfelt hugs.
“Life is a journey, along different roads, different paths, which leave their mark on us,” Francis told 100 inmates at the site, which processes nearly 3,000 men a year. “All of us need to be cleaned, to be washed. [Jesus] invites us to share in his lot…to create new opportunities, for society as a whole. I encourage you to have this attitude with one another and with all those who in any way are part of this institution. May you make possible new opportunities, new journeys, new paths.”
To end his visit, the Pope celebrated his final mass to conclude the World Meeting of Families. The outdoor 4 pm mass was held in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and included a 500-member papal choir.
In his homily, Francis encouraged the thousands of families gathered from around the world with words of love: “Faith grows when it is practiced and it is shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. These are the right place for faith to become life, and for faith to grow in life.”
At the Mass, he also announced the next World Meeting of Families to be held in Dublin, Ireland, in 2018. The global gathering of Catholics is held every three years.
Before departing by plane back to Rome, the Holy Pontiff thanked the volunteers, bishops and priests, and US lawmakers including President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden for hosting and preparing for his historic visit.
“Please know that as I prepare to leave, I do so with a heart filled with gratitude and hope,” Pope Francis said, before his evening flight from Philadelphia International Airport. “I will pray for you and your families, and I ask you, please, to pray for me. May God bless you all. God bless America!” (Allyson Escobar / AJPress)
