Pope Francis Shares Rare English-Language Greeting Ahead Of U.S. Visit

For Kit Johansen, there are memories of every papal visit to the United States.

Even with the removal of some travel hurdles, a almost 5-square-mile area of the city will be barred to incoming traffic during the pope’s visit, about 25 miles of streets and highways will be closed and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge between New Jersey and Philadelphia will be off-limits to all but pedestrians and emergency vehicles.

Heading into the final week before the pope’s USA trip, hotels in Philadelphia had more than 1,000 rooms available.

Former Gov. Ed Rendell was an early critic of the plan to fence in the parkway, where the pope’s two biggest events will be held, and require those wanting to get inside to go through airport-style detectors. Bishop Gerald Barbarito, the leader of the Palm Beach Diocese, will attend events in Washington as well. “It’s a faith journey to come together with other people of faith from around the world“, Fryar said. “What I remember (from 1999) and what I brought back with me was being together with all the people in one place and praying together and the hope”. “I want to have a real encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ and return home filled with his infinite love, mercy and grace”.

Several staff and board members from Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport will also attend the basilica Mass, at which the pope will canonize its namesake, the 18th century Franciscan missionary priest Junipero Serra.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience”, said Mary Jaskowiak, president of the Catholic Campus Ministry at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. “It is an honor and a blessing”. Loh and her husband, Lester, will serve as volunteers during Francis’ mass with the World Meeting of Families next Sunday. Loh said. “He speaks to the people and I think people are excited about his visit and they are paying attention to what he has to say”. Burbidge also met Benedict XVI in Raleigh in 2012, and John Paul II in 1979. She plans to be in Philadelphia for the World Families Conference and events with the Catholic Grandparents Association.

“He’s really looking at all the angles, not just, ‘OK, here’s what a ideal marriage looks like, you should be in one, ‘” she said.

Johansen praised Francis’ efforts to help the poor and the needy.

“He has been preparing for this visit in order to enter deeply into American culture, to understand its roots, its values, and its challenges”, she said. The office also provides funding and aid in the pope’s name for many refugees who receive services at a variety of other centers in Rome.