Philadelphia Welcomed Pope Francis 1 Year Ago Today
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A year ago today, Pope Francis landed in Philadelphia for a whirlwind two-day visit.
It was a whirlwind visit that included stops at the Cathedral, Independence Hall, a city prison, and a huge open-air Mass on the Ben Franklin Parkway.
Complete Coverage Of The Papal Visit
The pope came to Philadelphia to celebrate the closing of the World Meeting of Families event.
Father Dennis Gill, rector of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on the Parkway, was intimately involved in the arrangements for the pope's visit and greeted him at the door of the cathedral where he celebrated a Mass.
He says the most enduring message left behind by Pope Francis was the Catholic Church's message about the family.
"That marriage and the family be what the word of God describes it to be and that all of us contribute to building it up and making it stronger in response to the visit of our Holy Father."
Gill predicted the seeds of faith and fraternity for all people planted by the pope will bear fruit here in Philadelphia for years to come.