Banners Hung Throughout City To Welcome Pope Francis And Remind Others Of His Message
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It is part of the transformation that will set the stage for that historic visit. The surging crowds about to welcome Pope Francis to Philadelphia will be greeted by hundreds of banners spelling out what the World Meeting of Families is all about.
Workers in cherrypickers hung the first banners outside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.
World Meeting of Families Executive Director Donna Farrell says more than 550 banners are to be installed throughout the city on light posts, serving as reminders of the Holy Father's true message of "hope, unity and love for the family."
"His words resonate. His words give meaning not only to his papacy, but also to his visit here to our city in Philadelphia. These are the words that touch our hearts."
"This reflects the largest installation of banners in the city of Philadelphia in 15 years, since the Republican National Convention in 2000."
One banner reads "Love is the measure of faith." Another design says "We all have the duty to do good." A third reads "Have the courage to be truly happy."
The official theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families is "Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive."
The four-day Congress for the World Meeting of Families (that precede the Pope's arrival) is sold out, with an expected attendance of close to 20,000 people, three times the size of the last one in Milan, Italy in 2012.