Sister Sledge performs during the Festival of Families. (Sarah Webb)

At the close of the first day of his visit to Philadelphia Sept. 26, Pope Francis was most animated toward the end of the Festival of Families, speaking energetically, gesturing and smiling at the sea of people in front of him who had gathered for a night of song, testimonials and prayers.

(See a photo gallery on the festival.)

Following days of gentle admonitions to such dignitaries as President Barack Obama, the United States Congress, and representatives from around the world at the United Nations, it seemed that the 78-year-old pope, on his last leg of his visit to America, took in the message and meaning for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

Before leaving the stage set up for the festivities along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Pope Francis, with a wide smile and enthusiastic gestures, told an audience of hundreds of thousands who lined the parkway that the families such as those who attended the World Meeting of Families create a beauty that leads all to God.

(See more photos on the pope’s arrival and motorcade through the city.)

“Jesus likes most to knock on the doors of families who love each other. Beauty and trust lead us to God,” he said, adding that the faith he saw displayed before him reflected a a real witness to the worth of being a family.

Flanked by Archbishop Charles Chaput and other dignitaries, the pope sat on the stage to watch performances by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Sister Sledge singing “We are Family” and Aretha Franklin belting out her famous blues rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

Interspersed with the music were testimonials by six families from various countries whose stories told of keeping the faith while enduring trials such as poverty, persecution, disabilities and political upheaval.

Pope Francis listens to Herb Lusk, a Christian pastor and former Philadelphia Eagle, proclaim a reading from the Gospel of Luke, on the parable of the prodigal son. (Sarah Webb)


One woman brought her two grown sons to the stage, one of whom plans to study for the priesthood and the other a 17-year-old handicapped by cerebral palsy. The Ukrainian-born woman was a single mother who brought her children to the United States and struggled for years after her husband abandoned the family.






Some in the audience, like center city Philadelphia resident Marita Thomas, were moved to tears as they listened to each family and how they coped with hardship by clinging to God.

“This breaks my heart and now I see the need to help others here and overseas,” Thomas said.


“I will stay as long as I can make my train back home,” said Frank Jackson, who brought his wife, his mother and his four children to the festival from West Chester. ‘This is beautiful and it is a once-in-a-lifetime event. How many times can a whole family host their Holy Father?”

Many at the papal events had long walks from various train stations because SEPTA limited both fares and the number of stations where pilgrims could board the trains.

