Catholic conference, pope coming to Philly

On Monday, Pope Benedict XVII announced that the eighth World Meeting of Families will be held in Philadelphia in September 2015. While Penn students and Catholic organizations are unsure about the details, they are excited to participate in the event.

World Meeting of Families usually include presentations about what it means to be a Catholic family and ways for Catholics to raise their children and pass on their faith to the next generation. It will likely include a papal mass — a huge draw to the event.

Penn Newman hopes to get involved with the conference in whatever way they can. No details are available as to whether or not Penn Newman will have a priority in the ticketing process at this time.

According to Penn Newman Assistant Director Jeff Klein, though getting tickets may be difficult, students may be able to attend the events by volunteering.

“If it’s possible for us to be involved, we will,” Klein said.

Most Penn Catholics, however, were excited that the Pope could be coming to Philadelphia, but had little previous knowledge about the meeting.

“To be honest, I didn’t know what it was,” Penn Newman President and College junior Kaitlyn Kutschera said.

The conference will create a massive influx of people from all over the world. Pope John Paul II was the last pope to visit Philadelphia in 1979, when over one million people attended his papal mass.

While most currently enrolled students will graduate before the event, many still are interested in going. Penn Catholic Student Association president and College junior Margaret Buff said that she will attend the meeting if she’s still living in Philadelphia.

“People are more excited if they’re going to be living in Philadelphia at the time,” Kutschera said.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.