Cheers erupted outside of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul as Pope Francis stepped out of his Fiat. Watch video
PHILADELPHIA -- Cheers erupted outside of the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul as Pope Francis stepped out of his Fiat and walked up the steps of the historic church Saturday morning.
Chanting "We love the Pope," hundreds of families, church groups and individuals were out in front of the church as the pope arrived. Many had waited for hours to see the pontiff before his first scheduled event in the city.
People jumped on top of each other's shoulders, phones and iPads raised, hoping to get a quick photo of the holy leader as he briefly waved hello.
Before the Pope's arrival the mood was celebratory, as the crowd gathered in the early morning hours. Some had traveled hundreds or thousands of miles, others came from nearby areas in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but all stood together in front of the Cathedral Basilica.
As the sun rose, you could hear the sounds of tambourines and guitars and see Pope Francis placards and Vatican City flags flying above.
Members of Camino Neocatecumenal, a Catholic Church in San Francisco which brought 70 pilgrims to Philadelphia for the weekend, performed a "circle of life" song and dance routine.
Sochitl Avalos, a 16-year-old member of the church, played guitar and sang in both English and Spanish as the gathered flocked to her group.
"We like to follow the Lord and we value family," she said when asked why she decided to make the pilgrimage to Philly.
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Most visitors outside of the Cathedral Basilica agreed that the pontiff's visit was simply a part of history that they were excited to be a part of, even if they couldn't get inside the church.
"It's the chance of a lifetime," said Kristin Hildreth, a Conshohocken resident.
"Italy was a little far, but Philly was only a two-hour flight," added Dani Caccio, who came from Tennessee.
Inside, about 1,600 people packed into the cathedral to hear the pope deliver his homily in Spanish and celebrate Mass.
"I would like to think, though, that the history of the Church in this city and state is really a story not about building walls, but about breaking them down," he said in his homily. "It is a story about generation after generation of committed Catholics going out to the peripheries, and building communities of worship, education, charity and service to the larger society."
As Pope Francis celebrated Mass inside, the group outside thinned slightly, but many stayed around listening to the Homily and watching the celebration as it was broadcast on large screens in the area. They began to gather in front again as he finished the service.
A collective sigh of disappointment was heard in the crowd, however, when the pontiff left through a side door without being seen.
His afternoon will be spent resting at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, followed by two more public appearances, including a speech at Independence Hall around 4:30 p.m., and a parade on the parkway before speaking at the conclusion of the Festival of Families.
Rebecca Forand may be reached at rforand@southjerseymedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaForand. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.