Students sit beneath an image of Pope Francis during a ceremony dedicating the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program’s mural, titled The Sacred Now: Faith and Family in the 21st Century, Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, in Philadelphia. Organizers are hoping the mural featuring Pope Francis is eligible for the Guinness World Record for “Most Contributions … Read more
To ensure Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia is successful and safe, many of the streets in Center City are being closed to personal vehicular traffic for three days. Carless in Philadelphia — are we prepared for such a shocking situation? Sure, cities around the world have long instituted policies to encourage residents, commuters and visitors … Read more
Philadelphia has a couple of gifts for visiting Pope Francis — an ivory-bone china bowl featuring images of Independence Hall and St. Peter’s Basilica, and a bicycle with a chain guard shaped like an angel’s wing. Mayor Michael Nutter presented the gifts to Archbishop Charles Chaput (SHAP’-yoo) at the opening ceremony Tuesday for the World … Read more
With more than 1 million people coming to Philadelphia when Pope Francis visits next month, enterprising businesses are coming up with stuff to remember him by, and it’s not just rosary beads. There’s a growing market for “unofficial” pope swag that’s a bit more irreverent — and edible. Several local breweries are praying beer drinkers … Read more