Dozens Attend Papal Watch Party At St. Joe's Student Center
By Mike Dougherty
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Dozens of students and faculty members filed into the student center at St Joseph's University this morning for a papal watch party.
Pope Francis' softly spoken words forced everyone to listen closely. Freshman Sarah Wieduwilt enjoyed every minute of it.
"I really liked hearing about the death penalty in particular," she said. "I think that's a big controversy and it's something I was never too sure about, but I liked his thoughts on it."
Freshman Brendan Kiley was happy to see the pontiff stick to his Catholic beliefs and not cater to any political party.
"Unity and solidarity I think is really important to the core beliefs of the Catholic church and it was an American value. I hope it's an American value that grows stronger."
This is a day director of campus ministry Tom Sheibley won't soon forget.
"It's great to see our students coming out to listen to what the Pope has to say," he said. "I think it's really encouraging to know that they have an interest in both the leadership of the church but also in a Pope who really has significant things to say about the current issues of our culture."
There were a number of cheers throughout the speech, but none louder than when the pontiff said he will finish his trip to America in Philadelphia.