Fundraising Efforts Escalate Ahead Of Pope's Visit To Philadelphia
So far, corporate and community fundraising has netted more than $30 million of the $45 million goal.
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So far, corporate and community fundraising has netted more than $30 million of the $45 million goal.
The Roman Catholic Allentown Diocese, whose territory goes all the way up to the Chester, Montgomery and Bucks County lines, is holding events Sunday at four churches throughout the region to generate participation in the pope's visit and world meeting.
PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards says it's already been decided that construction work on the bridges over I-676 in Center City will stop during the pope's visit - but during House budget hearings, she told members other construction projects in the region could be affected in a similar way.
"Rock Star Status." That's not the way Vatican analysts usually describe a Pope. But after two years of a Pope Francis papacy, "Rock Star" seems to be part of his early legacy.
Dozens of pages of listings have already been posted to the web site known as "Craig's List."
Pope Francis' late September visit to Philadelphia is prompting scheduling changes, including moving this year's Fall Restaurant week to a different season.
Today the Pope marks the second anniversary of his election as leader of the world's of more than one-billion Roman Catholics.
The head of the World Meeting of Families Philadelphia organization says the federal government has declared the visit by Pope Francis and activities leading up to his arrival a "national security special event."
When Pope Francis comes to Philadelphia this September for the World Meeting of Families a high-level member of his advance team says a visit to the symbol of the nation's liberty will be on his agenda.
Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Family, spent Monday in Philadelphia and brought his sweet tooth.
Pat Ciarrocchi talks with Bishop David O'Connell about his rehabilitation and getting ready to walk next to Pope Francis in Philadelphia.
Hotels in Bucks County are nearly 90 percent booked for that final weekend in September.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia says Pope Francis has been invited to take part in a September 27 program at the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations at St. Joseph's University.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia says there is an urgent need for the public's help and it's asking for Catholics and the generous to rent a room or property at a reasonable fee to visitors of the World Meeting of Families.
In his weekly column, Archbishop Chaput asked Catholics and other residents across the archdiocese to consider opening their homes and offer lodging to those visiting Philadelphia during the World Meeting of Families in September.
Nearly two million people are expected to swarm Philadelphia for the Pope's visit in September. Many will want to share the events from their phones in real-time. But will cell networks be able to handle all that traffic?
With about seven months to go before Pope Francis arrives in Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families, the Archdiocese confirmed its fundraising is on track to its $45 Million goal.
"This is great news for us. We are on a roll," says Ed Grose, executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association.
"The pope's visit is going to bring over a million people to Philadelphia, and the Democratic National Convention will bring lots of people. These are two great things for Pennsylvania," the governor said.
House Speaker John Boehner made the announcement and expressed gratitude that the Pope accepted his invitation.
It now appears that Philadelphia will be the final stop in a three-city US that will take the pope first to Washington, DC and New York City.
Tourism and hospitality officials said the impact of Francis' appearance is unlike anything they've experienced in recent memory.
The National Shrine of St. John Neumann in North Philadelphia is praying for a short visit from Pope Francis during his visit to the city for September's World Meeting of Families.
Finally, the official word of the Pope's visit came from the Vatican on November 17 and Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput was there.
Organizers of the World Meeting of Families are actively working with local tourism groups to come up with a "nightlife" for the thousands who will be visiting Philadelphia.
