Papal Mass in Philadelphia
More than 1.5 million people are expected for the Mass with Pope Francis in Philadelphia this September, said organisers of the next World Meeting of Families. As of June 15, about 12,000 people were registered for the September 22-25 congress, which will feature dozens of speakers on an array of issues affecting family life, Archbishop Chaput said. Held every three years in a different city, this year’s theme is “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.”
Auxiliary Bishop John McIntyre of Philadelphia, told reporters about the variety of themes – both theological and practical – that will be covered by congress speakers, including talks that will address new technologies, ecology, fertility and dealing with marriage breakups. Some of the speakers listed include Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston and Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments. Fr Robert Barron and Scott Hahn, as well as Reverend Rick Warren and Rabbi Abraham Skorka, are slated among the speakers.
Underlining the ecumenical and interfaith element of the meeting, Archbishop Chaput said 30 per cent of the speakers would be non-Catholic.