He was seen off by a number of dignitaries, including Vice President Joe Biden.
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PHILADELPHIA (AP) – After speeches to Congress and the United Nations aimed at spurring world leaders toward bold action on immigration and the environment, Pope Francis headed to Philadelphia on Saturday for a visit expected to focus more heavily on ordinary Catholics and their families.
Pope Francis attends a performance by Marie Miller and the Pennsylvania Ballet at the Festival of Families, Saturday, September 26, 2015, in Philadelphia.
Before Francis’ arrival, Sister Sledge performed a special rendition of the hit “We Are Family”, adding another gender to proclaim, “I’ve got all my sisters and my brothers with me”, and referring to Jesus as “the way, the truth, the light”. “Our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender neighbors continues to fight for their rights”, Nutter said. He will speak at Independence Hall, where the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and will do so from the lectern Abraham Lincoln used to deliver the Gettysburg Address.
It is the pope’s first visit to the United States. As Brian Sanchez, 14, translated for his mother, Gina Sanchez, other members of the group prayed for the pope and the crowd. The reasons for the resignations were not given, but Robert Finn of Kansas City was convicted in 2012 on charges of failing to report suspected child abuse, and Archbishop John Nienstedt of Minnesota resigned after prosecutors charged his archdiocese with six counts related to a sexually abusive ex-priest.
Speaking to the bishops, Francis praised the victims as “true heralds of mercy”. He previously met with victims at the Vatican.
“This is an opportunity for everybody to come together around an incredible man”, Coletta said, referring to Catholic Church’s child abuse scandal, which had a profound impact on Philadelphia.
Ahead of the pope’s visit, a young generation of seminarians prepared for the presentation of two gifts they believe would best reflect the heart of the Jesuit Priest from Argentina.
This is the first time the meeting has been held in the United States.
The scandal damaged the Catholic Church worldwide, eroding its moral authority and requiring costly legal settlements.
Vendors hawking pope swag did everything they could to stop them in their tracks, shouting out catchy slogans as they toted bags full of flags, pins, T-shirts, dolls and rosaries.
Neilson Carlin, who said he painted the picture of Jesus, Mary and Joseph that adorns the altar, said he was overwhelmed – especially when the pope stopped before his painting. He also vowed that anyone involved in the sex abuse, or the cover up of the abuse, will be held accountable.
Central Park spectators who were waiting for a glimpse of Pope Francis reported seeing it in the sky before he paraded through the area. “We raised $10,000 for the poor of Rome and we gave that to him, and we also did a bunch of spiritual pledges”, said Daniel Amadio of the seminary.
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Lombardi said the pope renewed the church’s commitment to make sure victims were heard and “treated with justice, that the guilty be punished, and that the crimes of abuse be combatted with an effective prevention activity in the church and in society”.
