Novice Hope Lesnau from the Apostolic Sisters of St. John in Princeville, Ill., says it was powerful to hear the Pope speak his own language, as the pontiff celebrated Mass along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 27. Ms. Lesnau said the Pope’s message of healing the brokenness, especially in families, was important. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Christina Farrell, 11, left, Kelly Besyna, 11, and Brynn Taylor, 12, of Indiana stand with their rosaries as they listen to Mass celebrated by Pope Francis along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Sunday, Sept. 27. Kelly Besyna said: “I feel so much closer to go God when I am holding the rosary.” The girls, who thought Mass was peaceful and pretty, drove 12 hours with the Farrell family to attend. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Christina Farrell, 11, left, and Kelly Besyna, 11, kneel on the concrete sidewalk as they listen to Mass celebrated by Pope Francis along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Sunday, Sept. 27. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Father Andy LaFramboise of Saginaw, Mi., gives communion during the open air Mass celebrated by Pope Francis along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 27. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
A diverse crowd listens to Pope Francis’ homily including women who listen on their phones to a translation, during an open air Mass along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 27. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Andrew Farrell, 20 mos., holds a program for the open air Mass along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 27. The Mass was the final event of Pope Francis’ visit to the United States. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Chris and Mary Ellen Reiser of Brookline take their first vacation as empty nesters to the World Meeting of Families, concluding in the open air Mass along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 27. Mary Ellen said she thought the Mass was so well planned, including the efficiency of getting communion to everyone. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Anna Hogan of Bucks Co., bows over during Mass celebrated by Pope Francis along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 27. Ms. Hogan is a novice in the Apostolic Sisters of St. John in Princeville, Ill. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Priests are escorted along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to give communion during an open Mass on Pope Francis’ final day in the United States in Philadelphia Sunday, Sept. 27. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
People pray as Pope Francis concludes his six -day trip to the United States with an open air Mass along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 27. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Less than an hour before the start of Mass a huge crowd still waits to get into the Francis Fairgrounds along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 27. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Sinai Flores of Kansas City, Mo., carries the cross of her diocese to get it blessed by Pope Francis during the public mass along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 27. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Valentina Sanchez joins into Category 48, a hand game, to pass time waiting to go through security lines to attend the papal mass along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 27. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Jill Limongi of South Bronx reacts as she catches a glimpse of the popemobile as Pope Francis parades around Logan Circle in Philadelphia Sept. 26. She came with 62 other pilgrims from Church of the Sacred Heart in the South Bronx. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Oakland Catholic High School students sing along to the song “Family Matters” as they wait for the papal parade to begin along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Saturday, Sept. 26. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Pope Francis leaves the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul after celebrating Mass in a packed house of 1,600 clergy, religious sisters and lay leaders in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Pope Francis gets helps getting down from the altar as he celebrates Mass with clergy, religious sisters and lay leaders at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Pope Francis presents a chalice to Cardinal Charles Chaput, archbishop of Philadelphia, as the Pope celebrates Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on Saturday. The Mass was primarily for clergy, religious sisters and lay leaders from the archdiocese of Philadelphia. Cardinal Chaput said he would call the city Francisville on this day if he could.
A priest passes out communion to a deacon during a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Pope Francis gives the homily during Mass with clergy, religious sisters and lay leaders at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Pope Francis delivers his homily at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Saturday. Pope Francis arrived in Philadelphia Saturday to conclude his three-city, six-day visit to the United States. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Pope Francis gives the homily during Mass with clergy, religious sisters and lay leaders at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Pope Francis blesses several infants as he celebrates Mass with primarily Philadelphia area clergy, religious sisters and lay leaders at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on Saturday.
After he dresses for Mass, Pope Francis once again processes down the main aisle as people take pictures and video at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on Saturday.
A priest greets Mass-goers as a group of priests process into the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul before the papal Mass in Philadelphia on Saturday.
A priest greets Mass-goers as a group of priests process into the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul before the papal Mass in Philadelphia on Saturday.
All cameras are out and up as Pope Francis arrives to celebrate Mass with clergy, religious sisters and lay leaders at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Two young Mass-goers share a moment as they wait for Pope Francis to arrive at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Prayers on cloth at the Knotted Grotto, an art installation created by Meg Saligman, outside of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on Saturday. The piece, where people can write prayers on cloth and knot them to another piece of cloth, was inspired by Pope Francis’ favorite painting, “Mary, Undoer of Knots.”
A crowd waits outside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul to get a glimpse of Pope Francis as he arrives to celebrate Mass in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Priests process through the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul before a papal Mass on Saturday. Pope Francis arrived in Philadelphia Saturday to conclude his three-city, six-day visit to the United States. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Nuns and priests wait for Mass to begin at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Saturday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
The choir rehearses before a papal Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Saturday. Pope Francis arrived in Philadelphia Saturday to conclude his visit to the United States. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Prayer ribbons hang outside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Saturday. Pope Francis holds a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica for Pennsylvania clergy and religious after arriving in Philadelphia Saturday. Philadelphia is the final stop on his visit to the United States. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Oakland Catholic High School students take a moment to record video for a live blog on their pilgrimage to Philadelphia on Friday. The girls are sleeping at the First Unitarian Church in Center City near all the papal events over the weekend. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Pittsburgh and Erie pilgrims attend a mass held by Father Michael Roche at the First Unitarian Church in Center City Philadelphia on Friday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Maggie Gallagos, 17, of Thornburg, (second row, center with curly hair) laughs with Kate Carnivale, 18, of Peters Township, as the girls along with classmates spontaneously start singing hymns during communion at a Mass held by Father Michael Roche at the First Unitarian Church in Center City Philadelphia on Friday. The girls, who are sleeping at the church, are from Oakland Catholic High School. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Lou and Dee Zimmerman of Evans City joins other Pittsburgh and Erie pilgrims attending Mass held by Father Michael Roche at the First Unitarian Church in Center City Philadelphia on Friday. Father Roche is the pastor at the Zimmermans’ church, St. Mathias. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Paula Dworakowski, left, and Anne Osborn hold hands during a Mass conducted by Father Michael Roche for Pittsburgh and Erie area pilgrims at the First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia on Friday. The women came to Philadelphia with students from Mercyhurst Prep School. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
A security check point in Center City Philadelphia on Friday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
From left: Stephanie Laurine, Courtney Rosellini and Charlotte Pineda react as Pope Francis comes out onto the balcony of the U.S Capitol to greet the thousands of people gathered on the lawn to hear his address to Congress on Thursday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Spectators shield their eyes from the sun as they watch Jumbotrons where Pope Francis’ address to Congress is projected on Thursday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
People watch Pope Francis address Congress from the West Front Lawn of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
A woman sticks the Vatican Flag into her hair as she watches Pope Francis address Congress from the West Front Lawn in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Jill Sullivan shields her eyes as she tries to see Pope Francis on the Jumbotrons set-up above the West Front Lawn for Pope Francis’ address to a joint session of Congress in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Crowds pack onto the West Front Lawn to hear Pope Francis address Congress during his visit to Washington, D.C., on Thursday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
A crowd gathers on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol before Pope Francis addresses Congress on Thursday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
David Caballero, 10, and his sister Sophia, 7, goof off as they wait along the West Front Lawn to hear Pope Francis address Congress during his visit to Washington, D.C. on Thursday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
As the sun rises a woman takes a nap after arriving hours before dawn on the West Front Lawn to hear Pope Francis address Congress during his visit to Washington, D.C. on Thursday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Catholic University of America students stake out seats high on the West Front Lawn hours before Pope Francis addresses Congress during his visit to Washington, D.C. on Thursday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Crowds begin to gather outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Thursday morning in preparation for Pope Francis’ arrival. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Before dawn, people hustle up the West Front Lawn to get spots close to the Capitol building before Pope Francis’ address to Congress during his visit to Washington, D.C. on Thursday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Father Joe Mele, episcopal vicar for leadership at the Diocese of Pittsburgh, raises his arms as Pope Francis addresses the crowd from a balcony overlooking the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol after Pope Francis addressed Congress on Thursday.
“Catholics were a minority and now to see the Pope address Congress, it’s really touching,” says Father Mele of Morningside. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Denise Ortiz of Arlington, Va., gets emotional at the end of the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. Ms. Ortiz, originally from Puerto Rico, prayed for the blessing of her children, including her daughter who earned her law degree from Catholic University of America this year. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
A priest gives communion during the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
After receiving communion, a woman returns to her seat during the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
A priest gives communion during the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Women receive communion during the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
A priest gives communion during the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Women exchange the passing of the peace as priests disperse through the crowd to give communion during the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Priests escorted by umbrella-carrying volunteers disperse throughout the crowd to give communion during the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
The liturgy of the Eucharist during the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
The liturgy of the Eucharist during the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
A Mass-goer at the canonization mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Pope Francis prepares the gifts during the liturgy of the Eucharist during the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Mass-goers stand near the media rise during the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Pope Francis, left, gives his homily as Cardinal Donald Wuerl arrives at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Priests pull out their phones as Pope Francis gives his homily during the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Mass-goers in the standing section during the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Priests lead the procession at the beginning of the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
The crowd waves and points their phones toward Pope Francis, who toured the crowd in his pope mobile upon arrival at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Father Nick Vaskov, vice rector at St. Paul Seminary is greeted by a student who recognized him outside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception before the canonization Mass Wednesday. Pope Francis canonized Junipero Serra, an 18th century missionary in California, during the Mass. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
A mass-goer waves a Vatican Flag in the crowd before Pope Francis arrives at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Final preparations are made before Pope Francis arrives at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Pope Francis arrives at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Pope Francis arrives at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Joanne Caldwell of Lakeland, Fla., prays reverence to the Lord and to be better as she waits for the beginning of the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. She burst into tears when she found out she was able to attend the Mass and see Pope Francis. She says he is like Jesus, humane and holy. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Monks greet each other as they wait in line for the canonization Mass of Junipero Serra by Pope Francis at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Nuns greet the media as they arrive at Catholic University campus. Pope Francis will canonize Junipero Serra during a Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
Carlos Matos-Ramos Jr. and his mother Lourdes wait in the security line to get to the Basilica. Mrs. Matos-Ramos has a chronic blood condition and she hopes to be blessed by Pope Francis. Pope Francis canonizes Junipero Serra during a Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
The flag of the Vatican City flies along with the U.S. flag and District of Columbia flag along Constitution Avenue outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Tuesday. (Rebecca Droke/Post-Gazette)
