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MONDAY

09.28.15

MICHAEL PEREZ/AP

Throngs of people watch and listen on Sunday as Pope Francis celebrates Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.

Mass for the masses

Pope caps visit with
a flourish in Philly

Pilgrims: Wait was worth

it to see Pope Francis

JERRY CARINO@NJHOOPSHAVEN
SHANNON MULLEN @MULLENAPP

PHILADELPHIA The setting was grand, but Pope

Francis parting message to America was simple.
The little signs of tenderness in family life are the
biggest gifts people can give, the pope told a crowd of
close to a million people during the homily of Sundays
papal Mass.
Like a blessing before we go to bed, or a hug after
we return from a hard days work, love is shown by little
things, by attention to small daily signs which make us
feel at home, the pontiff said in Spanish. Faith grows
when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches.
On this cloudy, temperate day, much of Philadelphias Center City was a church. People began streaming toward the Benjamin Franklin Parkway before daybreak some even camped out overnight Saturday
and transformed the area into a celebration of faith.
Most folks never got close to Francis, viewing the
proceedings on big screens posted throughout the
streets, but seemed to enjoy sharing the moment noneSee PHILLY, Page 6A

JASON TOWLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Pope Francis greets supporters in front of the Cathedral

Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia Sunday.

MORE COVERAGE
Normal day for Philly church. 6A Family drives from
Argentina to see pontiff. 7A Scenes from the event. 10A
See APP.com for videos and galleries from the papal visit

PHILADELPHIA Babies were kissed. Tears were

shed. Memories were made and widely disseminated
on social media.
And when it was all over, the uncounted mass of humanity that packed the city Sunday for a chance to
catch a glimpse of Pope Francis united in a great, collective Amen.
The taxing trek was worth it.
Like a grandfather out for a leisurely Sunday drive,
the pope took his sweet time coming up the Benjamin
Franklin Parkway prior to his 4 p.m. Mass.
And the hundreds of thousands he passed along the
way enjoyed every second of it.
This was no drive-by blessing. The 78-year-old pontiffs pedestrian pace made many feel as if they had had
a personal encounter with him.
Emotional breathtaking unbelievable, a teary Cheryl Krzaczyk of Ship Bottom wrote in a text message
shortly after seeing Francis. I cant stop crying.
Nobody who experienced it firsthand will ever look
See PILGRIMS, Page 7A

Sports

Eagles send Jets

back to earth
The Jets take their first loss of the season, 24-17, at the hands of the
Eagles, who notch their first win by holding off a second-half rally by
their hosts at MetLife Stadium. Game coverage and commentary, 1D

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VOLUME 136
NUMBER 232
SINCE 1879