Pilgrims From Vietnam Coming In Big Numbers To See Pope, Take Part In WMOF In Philadelphia
By Mark Abrams
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Official delegations from 150 countries around the world are coming to see Pope Francis and take part in the World Meeting of Families conference in Philadelphia at the end of September. But those planning for the pope's two-day visit were stunned to learn recently that many pilgrims from a Southeast Asian nation already have made arrangements to make the trip.
"The number one country so far for registration is Vietnam," says Donna Farrell, executive director of World Meeting of Families, Philadelphia. "And it is our number one language translation request. This is an extraordinary story."
Farrell says one family - which runs a pig farm in Vietnam - already has made arrangements to stay with a Pottstown host family who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
She says Monsignor Joseph Trinh, pastor of St. Helena Catholic Church in the Lower Northeast, grew up in Vietnam and is ministering to the large Vietnamese community here in the archdiocese.
Farrell says he also is working to find places for several pilgrims traveling from his native country to Philadelphia to see the pope.