June 25, 2015
Philly Officials Wrap Vatican Meetings for Pope Visit
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Philadelphia church officials say they're confident about preparations for Pope Francis' visit at the three-month homestretch, saying they've raised more than $30 million of the $45 million needed and have lined up 6,000 of 10,000 volunteers.
Archbishop Charles Chaput and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter wrapped up four days of talks Thursday at the Vatican for the Sept. 22-27 World Meeting of Families. Francis arrives Sept. 26 and will celebrate a final Mass before upward of 1.5 million people.
The meeting will be preceded by an international conference on Catholic family life.
Asked if gay families would be welcome, Chaput said all families are welcome but that "We don't want to provide a platform at the meeting for people to lobby for positions contrary to the life of our church."
