Hello from Philadelphia, and from these Solar Popes!
Great pope swag to be found here in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection these days.
The World Meeting of Families closed today, ending the first leg of this pilgrimage for us here from the Sun, the Office of Communications, and Catholic Television. Part two begins tomorrow with the arrival of the Holy Father!
I’m working on a handful of stories that I’ll share with you soon, but here’s a sneak peek of things to come.
We got to spend some QT with #OurFamilyInPhilly, the Denkenbergers. They participated in a very cool — and record-breaking — project this morning.
We ran into Sister Kathryn Teresa Clemmer, IHM, a former parishioner of Holy Cross Church in DeWitt, who now lives in community in Pennsylvania. That meeting led us to the great energy of the Youth Congress, where some IHM sisters were volunteering — and limbo-ing!
I learned about an artifact at the Museum of the Bible exhibit that has Syracuse roots.
And we met a local artist who’s creating beautiful of art by inviting others to be a part of it.

Pope art on the streets of Philadelphia, created by a local artist and continuing to evolve with every signature. (Sun photo | Katherine Long)
Tomorrow Pope Francis arrives and we’ll be hanging on his every word at Independence Mall and the Festival of Families. Stay tuned!