2015 Pope Francis Visit To Philadelphia Guide

AMOR Sculpture

AMOR Sculpture Created by Artist Robert Indiana

‘AMOR Means Love In Spanish’

Pope Francis’ visit is right around the corner, and many Philadelphia residents have had mixed feelings about how the city will be operating.

The Papal will be in the City of Brotherly Love September 26 and 27, yet the city itself will be in a major shut down mode from September 25 to the 28.

Some residents will be staying put this weekend, some will be attending the events, while others will be leaving the city on mini vacations. Whatever one decides to do, starting Friday, you won’t be able to enter the city by car and in some restricted areas, bicycles won’t even be allowed. If you leave the city by car, you won’t be able to return until sometime late Monday.

After months of worrying and excitement, the World Meeting of Families begins this week with the Papal visit during the weekend. Tourists are beginning to flood the streets, street vendors are selling Pope Francis products and  local business owners are hoping for large crowds to pop into their establishments. With deliveries to these restaurants stopping on Thursday, September 24, many restaurants will be limited to how much food they can store and that the food stocked can only last so long for its freshness. The main hope is that they get enough customers so their food doesn’t get wasted, leaving them with lots of leftovers.

We spoke to Terry Berch McNally, part owner of London Grill located in Fairmount, blocks away from the main staging area who said:

‘Located blocks away from the main staging area that will host the Mass on Sunday, we are hoping that visitors venture up to Fairmount avenue, where we are located, for food and drinks. I am just not sure how it will go.’

We also spoke to Marion Ryder and Jerome Donovan, part owners of the Plough and the Stars, located in Old City.

‘We aren’t sure what to expect since many hotels aren’t fully booked as of today. Have people been scared away, we don’t know. We hope to get some foot traffic on Saturday, when Pope Francis gives his talk at Independence Hall. Time will only tell.’

The Pope’s itinerary will last over 2-days in Philadelphia.

Saturday, September 26 ~ 8:30 a.m. ~ Pope Francis will depart for Philadelphia from John F. Kennedy International Airport. More info, click here.

Saturday, September 26 ~ 10:30 a.m. ~ Pope Francis will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Saturday, September 26 ~ 4:30 p.m.Pope Francis will visit Independence Mall in Philadelphia. He will speak from the podium once formerly used by Abraham Lincoln to deliver the Gettysburg Address. More info, click here.

Saturday, September 26 ~ 5:30 p.m. There be a parade, where Pope Francis will drive from Eakins Oval to/around City Hall. This event is open to the public, ticket or non-ticket holders. More info, click here.

Saturday, September 26 ~ 7:30 p.m.You’ll want to be on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway outside the Philadelphia Art Museum, where Francis will attend the Festival of Families. This event is open to the public, ticket or non-ticket holders. More info, click here.

Sunday, September 27 ~ 4:00 p.m. ~ Pope Francis will celebrate the closing mass for the World Meeting of Families 2015 outside of the Philadelphia Museum of Art at The Oval. More info, click here.

For the list of full Pope activities, click here.

Will you be attending any of these events? What are you thoughts on all of this? Please tell us in the comments.

Key Information Regarding the Pope Zone

  • Big List of where you can & can’t ride your bike in Philly during the Pope visit. ~ By Danya Henninger of Billy Penn ~ Click Here
  • Pope Timeline – How to navigate in Philly. – By Stephanie Farr & Barbara Laker of Daily News / Philly Dot Com ~ Click Here
  • CCD Park Schedules for the Papal Visit ~ Click Here
  • Pope road closures & info from MyPhillyAlive August 6. ~ Click Here

The Papal Visit Playbook

.

You want up-to-the-date weather, travel or traffic information during the Pope’s visit, Samantha Phillips, Director of Emergency Management, announced a new text alert system specifically for the World Meeting of Families and Pope Francis’ visit.

“If you are planning to attend this historic event, we encourage you to sign up for text alerts for the Pope’s visit to get real time information of importance. 

Enrolling is easy. Text “papalvisit” to 888777 and you will be registered.  It’s that simple, and that important.

Alerts will be sent through the duration of the World Meeting of Families and Pope Francis’ visit.  Message and data rates may apply depending upon your plan with your service provider.”

Trash & Recycling Collections

Curbside trash and recycling collections will be suspended for Friday, September 25 and Monday, September 28 citywide.

Residents with Friday and Monday collections must hold their trash and recycling on premises until the following week’s collection.

Residents can drop off trash and recyclables at our Sanitation Convenience Centers.

For those who haven’t ventured out into the city in the last 24 to 48 hours, this is what’s taking place up the Ben Franklin Parkway and around the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

All Photos Taken By Jeff Belonger for MyPhillyAlive