Two days and counting.
Pope Francis arrives in Philadelphia Saturday morning. Today he will become the first pontiff ever to address a joint session of Congress. We'll have complete reaction from out local congressmen.
In the meantime, there is another full day of events planned at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.
It's a huge story.
And we'll be there every step of the way.
The editorial team of the Daily Times and Digital First Media publications in the Philadelphia region has a team of reporters and photographers in place, ready to cover the World Meeting of Families and Pope Francis’visit like no other outlet.
But we also want you to be part of our team. You can follow along live and add to our daily coverage by using #popedfm on Twitter. Send us your Tweets, photos and video.
Follow our live blog daily coverage, which will feature every monumental moment of this historic event.
Here is what is on tap for Pope Francis today in Washington, D.C., and New York City:
THURSDAY
• 9:20 a.m.: Makes first address ever by pontiff to joint session of Congress.
• 11:15 a.m.: Meets with homeless group at St. Patrick Parish.
• 4 p.m.: Leaves D.C. and flies to New York City.
• 5 p.m.: Arrives at JFK Airport.
• 6:45 p.m.: Meets with clergy at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Here is today's key events at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia:
The following events associated with the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 are scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2015:
Press Conference: “The Impact of WMOF and the Papal Visit for Philadelphia”
10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. EDT
The Pennsylvania Convention Center: Hall A
Featuring:
· Mayor Michael A. Nutter, City of Philadelphia
· Jack Ferguson, President & CEO, PHLCVB
· Meryl Levitz, President & CEO, VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
· John McNichol, President & CEO, Pennsylvania Convention Center
Post-Keynote Press Conference:
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT
The Pennsylvania Convention Center: Hall A
Featuring: Dr. Juan Francisco de la Guardia Brin and Mrs. Gabriela N. de la Guardia
Q&A: “Philadelphia’s Gifts to the Holy Father”
1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
The Pennsylvania Convention Center: Hall A
Featuring:
· Donna Crilley Farrell, Executive Director, World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015
· Ms. Joan Doyle, Retail & Gifting Consultant
· Mrs. Barbara Franklin
Press Conference: “Two Philadelphia Families’ Roles in the Visit of the Holy Father”
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. EDT
The Pennsylvania Convention Center: Hall A
· The Bowes Family
· Richard (Rick) and Bernadette Bowes, with their three children, Matthew (11), Riley (10) and Gabrielle (8) will represent all families in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and greet Pope Francis as he lands in Philadelphia on Saturday, September 26. Mr. Bowes is a former member of the Philadelphia Police Department. In 2008, at age 35, he was called in for back-up by Officer Patrick McDonald pursuing an armed suspect in North Philadelphia. Upon his arrival at the scene, he saw McDonald had been shot and killed and then came under fire himself. He was shot in the leg but returned fire, killing the gunman. Due to his injury, he was unable to return to the police force and retired but now works for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. His family, parishioners at Saint Christopher’s in Northeast Philadelphia, are deeply faithful, despite this incident. Monsignor Garvin, Pastor at St. Chris’, describes the family as “everything you want a family to be in terms of love and nurturing.”
·Mr. Jerry Davis
· Mr. Davis, his wife (Anna), daughter (Kim) and 12-year old grandson (Jordan) will present one of the gifts to the Holy Father at the Cathedral Mass on Saturday, September 26. Mr. Davis is a retired senior executive from Sunoco. He grew up in West Philadelphia, the youngest of 10 siblings, and lost his mother at the age of 3. His father worked two jobs and Mr. Davis spent much of his early life working in the Church Rectory. He credits the priests for helping him “to stay out of trouble” and for forming his deep faith and commitment to education. He is a strong supporter of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and an advocate for encouraging more African American men to pursue vocations. He was also instrumental in the saving of the four Catholic High Schools in Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 2012.
· Donna Crilley Farrell, Executive Director, World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015
The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 Media Welcome Party
*Special Showing of “Eternally Rome”
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Comcast Lobby
1701 JFK Boulevard; Philadelphia
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