Philadelphia Delegation To Get More Face Time With Pope During Current Rome Trip

By Mark Abrams

ROME, Italy (CBS) -- A delegation from Philadelphia is in Rome this week, finalizing arrangements for the World Meeting of Families and the visit of Pope Francis at the end of Sepetember.

Philadelphia archbishop Charles Chaput, who is leading the delegation, tells CBS 3 that tomorrow morning he will introduce members of the delegation directly to the pope after his public audience on St. Peter's Square.

"Some of our major donors are along on the trip and we're giving them a tour of the Vatican gardens and the Vatican Palace where the pope used to live," Chaput said today. "He now lives in a simpler place, but that's where his offices still are. So, it's a mixture of business and gratitude. Showing gratitude to our donors."

Earlier today the delegation met with Archbishop Vincenzo Pagila, the head of the Pontifical Council for the Family, which is charge of the Vatican-sponsored World Meeting of Families event. Chaput, Mayor Nutter, and top officials of the WMOF are on the trip, which wraps up Thursday.