Pope to use Lincoln’s Gettysburg lectern in Philadelphia

Its loan for the pope’s use September 26 was announced Friday by the Vatican-sponsored World Meeting of Families, which the pope will be attending.

The Union League of Philadelphia said Friday it would offer the simple wooden stand for the pontiff to use during his planned speech on immigration and religious liberty.

“Most recently is was used by Admiral Lynch the President of the Union League in 2013 on the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg address.” says Meko.

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation will provide the historical artifact for when Pope Francis delivers his speech in front of Independence Hall on September 26.

The U.S. Secret Service and Philadelphia law enforcement officials will not be screening visitors to Philadelphia crossing the Ben Franklin Bridge during the visit by Pope Francis, the federal agency said Friday in a written statement.

“What a full circle moment in history to have this transformative global leader deliver one of the most anticipated speeches in his U.S. visit from the lectern of Abraham Lincoln, who was perhaps the most transformative president in American history and spoke in our commonwealth approximately 150 years ago”, Ciaruffoli said.

The Secret Service, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security, is leading the security arrangements for the pope’s Sept 26-27 visit, which is expected to draw 2 million visitors to the city.

The pontiff is visiting Washington and New York before making a final two-day weekend stop in Philadelphia, where the biggest public events of his U.S. trip will be held.

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