Harrisburg Diocese Chartering Dozens of Buses to Philadelphia in September for Pope's Visit
By Mark Abrams
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- Regional interest in Pope Francis' planned visit to Philadelphia this fall stretches to central Pennsylvania, where church officials are organizing bus caravans to attend his mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, on September 27th.
Joe Aponick, a spokesman for the Diocese of Harrisburg, says they are opening bus ticket sales today for members of parishes within the diocesan territory.
"We have 28 buses reserved that will be leaving from a variety of locations throughout our 15 counties to take people that are living in the Diocese of Harrisburg and members of our churches to the event," he tells KYW Newsradio.
Aponick says the buses can carry a total of about 1,400 people and the diocese is looking to reserve more.
"There are some parishes that are doing some individual buses, but it's more of a diocesan effort of trying to provide this service," he said.
And Aponick says interest is high among parishioners because, for most, it's only a 90-minute bus ride to see the pope and take part in an historic event in the life of the American Catholic church.
He notes the southeastern sector of the Harrisburg Diocese -- Lancaster County -- touches Chester County, which is the western edge of the Philadelphia Archdiocese.