Skip to main content

tv   The Pope in Philadelphia  CBS  September 24, 2015 7:00pm-7:31pm EDT

7:00 pm
>> they call him the people's pope. >> i just hope that when the pope gets here, ill at least be close enough to below him a kiss and say thank you. >> on a mission to spread hope, to not only catholics, but the entire world. >> he has great talent. >> pope francis walks among the people, blessing the disable, the poor, those on the fringes of society, he's like a rock star with a during fans want to go catch a glimpse or even better a blessing. >> father, come to ask for his blessings. i don't have much. >> pope francis comes to the city of brotherly love hoping to strengthen a fragile, shrinking church. it is an event of massive proportions, planning and security measures like we've never seen before.
7:01 pm
the pope in philadelphia. >> you are looking live at st. patrick's cathedral in new york city where the pope just arrived for a prayer service tonight. this is the second leg of his us trip after a speech at the united nations tomorrow it is wheels up to the city of brotherly love. >> just a beautiful, beautiful night here in the tri-state area, in center city philadelphia. good evening, everyone, i'm ukee washington. >> high everyone, i'm jessica dean. we are coming to you from our special studio here on the ben franklin parkway, this is where we will be broadcasting over the next few days, that is special location for a lot of reasons. >> this area will be the stage for the festival of families, the alter for an outdoor mass, and the place where between one, to 2 million people, may come to see pope francis who arrives here in less than 48 hours. and, here's another live look from one of the cameras, along the parkway. we have all the bases covered for you and we'll be here
7:02 pm
through the weekend brink you continuous first-hand coverage of all of the pope's events. >> the city is finishing touches on its preparation for his arrival. some city streets are already shutdown, other major roads, highways, and the ben franklin bridge will be off limits soon, as well. making way for the huge crowds that are expected. >> philadelphia will be the pope's third stop on this historic visit to the u.s. and as we've seen in washington, and now in new york city, so many people are turning out just for a chance to even just see the pope and be in his presence. >> jessica, we've seen his engaging smile, the way he waves, makes contact with the fateful. our pat ciarrocchi joins us right now to tell us more about the man known as francis. >> the thing that's so interesting, pope francis has said the cardinal said to him that they went to the ends of the earth to find a pope. argentina was the country. it was the place where jorge mario bergoglio got his start where he humbly minute stead to the poor. now pope francis is on a
7:03 pm
global stage, and he's ministering to the world. 926 days ago the smoke bill owed while, a simple man, wearing a silver cross, and a white cast ac and cape, asking that the thousands in saint peters square pray for him. his name would be francis, placing him at the crossroads after catholic church on shifting sands. but a church that he believes can heal and be healed. farther fed rica buena worked with francis in argentina he's come to philadelphia to see him. >> when he talks to you, you feel like you are the only person in the world essay tending to. maybe five minute, but that's the charisma, that's the talent he has, very human, you know? >> charisma and humility. we know the stories every francis choose to go live in simpler quarters, driving in simple cars, and caring his own bag.
7:04 pm
but the reasons are rooted in the edges of society, what he calls the peripheries, the poor, the disable, the children, the elderly. father fred reijo met bergoglio while working in the slums of ben he is zaire east. >> it is amazing, first time i met him i could not believe i was meeting him. i didn't know he was the governor because he just passed by, hello, hello, hello, and, well, he's really hum job but now as pope, francis could set a new stage, living his mission of mercy and compassion for all to see. it is to has made him a rock star pope. not a philosopher, nora intellectual, as those before him were known, but as a pastor. within months of his election, five words of the pastor pope rocked the catholic church. who am i to judge. the question was about homosexuality, the answer opened a compationate door. the vatican door has been locked by its moral admonition cents, now reveals a light.
7:05 pm
his call to offer forgiveness for abortion, to make the annullment process for divorced catholics more streamlined. trenton bishop, david o'connell. >> all of these things are efforts on his part to make sure that people feel welcome and part of the church because it is clear that there are in some sectors people who feel really alienated and disengaged. he wants to open the doors. >> in the conclave where popes are elected it is often said the holy spirit calls the right man at the right time. >> he knows why they chose him. he knows in his heart what god is asking him. and he has nothing to lose. i think he's the pope for this media time, selfie time, facebook time, he is the man. >> and in this age of social media, this holy father has 20 million followers on twitter, and that is in nine languages. isn't that amazing? >> isn't that something? speaking of languages, we saw him speak in front of joint congress today in washington,
7:06 pm
d.c., and people were listening very, very carefully, maybe even reading had i lips because he spoke in english. >> a lot of people were wondering will he speak in english when he is here? >> he will speak in english a little bit, but spanish is his primary language. the mass you will hear, some of that will be in latin. when it is not in english, you will actually will be able to hear if you watch it at home, hear simultaneous translation into english. >> looking forward to it, pat, thank you, so much. let's show you the scene in washington today pope francis working the crowd, he loves to meet people, to reach out and give a blessing, a comforting touch. even a hug or a kiss. for many, the chance to be close to the pope gives him peace, gives him hope, and maybe a feeling that everything will be okay. >> when the pope first arrives he'll celebrate mass right down the street from here, at the cathedral of saints peter and paul. >> in the congregation will be a little boy, i had the chance to meet, named eddie. and he struggles and copes with a serious disability.
7:07 pm
his family hopes that if they can just be in the presence of pope francis, a miracle could happen. >> the good news came as quite a surprise to cindy, and her family. >> i got an e-mail from the families inviting me to this mass. i'm like oh, my gosh, i'm so excited, then my pastor telling me do you have call me. >> after month of waiting and asking, it was confirmed, she and her son, eddie, would be there with pope francis, as he celebrates mass at the cathedral basilica of saints peter and paul in philadelphia on saturday. >> i am hoping that he spots he had. >> i ten year old eddie was born with a severe, undiagnosed neurological disorder, and is confined to a wheelchair. every sunday his mother, cindy, bridges eddie and his siblings back here to the church he grew up in and returned to, saint madeline in ridley park. >> honestly it is probably what brought us back to our religion; eddie's problems. you know, when you are told by the doctors there is nothing else they can do for you,
7:08 pm
right, that's what we do. >> and now they will be praying with pope francis himself. the pontiff often takes special time to interact with those who are handicapped, blessing them, and their families. understandably, this family is a little nervous at the idea of meeting the holy father. >> like what do you say to him? like do i shake his hand? >> what will you say to the pope if you get the chance? >> i think we'll just ask him if he could give he had a blessing and just thank him so much for being that close to us. >> eddie's beloved brother, tom, has a special request. >> and i'm hoping pope francis touches him, and hope that god hears the prayer, and i hope that eddie can just walk, talk and be like the rest of us, which could be the greatest thing that ever happened in our family. >> a family, united by hope, who will soon be in the presence of a pope who offers it, abundance. >> and cindy got even better news, in addition to her and eddie and his sister getting to go, her mom and dad and his brother, tom, will also be
7:09 pm
there, so look for them on saturday, big day for them. >> it won't be long saturday morning 9:30, the pope is scheduled to touchdown at philadelphia international airport. and welcoming him will be a family, who turned to god as a tragic time. >> that's right. seven years ago the dad in that family, former police officer ricky bowls, nearly lost his life. pose was critically wouldn't in the shoot-out with his partner pat mcdonald who died. bose, his children and family, surprised when the world meeting of families announced they'll greet the holy father. he said the honor is a little unbelievable. >> like how do you green the pope? we didn't know. he's so, like, different from normal popes. you don't really know what to expect. >> well, i'll just ask him to pray for everyone who is sick and suffering because i'm not sick and suffering. >> the family would like pope francis to bless the peace makers, the men and women, who serve in uniform, and risk their lives every single day. >> still ahead tonight, she was deaf and now she can hear.
7:10 pm
it is all because of a miracle. >> what do you think about pope francis? >> i love him. he's awesome. >> as a little girl this college student made miraculous recovery from a disability, a miracle that sent her to the vatican, and elevated the late catherine direction toll sainthood. now, she's ready to meet pope francis. >> and we're going back in time to the last time a pope visited philadelphia. how that visit and this one are similar.
7:11 pm
7:12 pm
>> right now pope francis is in new york city holding a prayer service at st. patrick's cathedral. >> that's where our david spunt reports from right now, he's life. david, good evening. >> reporter: ukee, jessica, good evening, it is an exciting time here in new york city on fifth avenue. pope francis is inside right now celebrating an evening service in the catholic faith. he's inside with about 2500 people, they've been specially selected. now we have a live picture inside, there is some singing, some chanting going on, pope francis will actually deliver a homily in a few minutes. now we want to go to some video taken just a moment ago, of him in the pope mobile, coming down fifth avenue, new york, there were throngs of people, thousands of excited people waiving to pope francis, a pope who is 78 years old, and this guy just does not seem to run out of energy. he loves to meet people.
7:13 pm
he loves to do these things. pope francis then got out, went inside to st. patrick cathedral, which i have to say, was just renovated for $177 million, and that, after tonight's homily, is going to rest, early morning tomorrow, at the united nations. we're live in new york city, see you tonight at 10:00. david spunt, cbs-3, "eyewitness news". >> david, thank you so much for that, won't be long before that scene is repeated here in so many ways. earlier today pope francis made history becoming the first pope to address the united states congress. >> the pope of the holy see. >> the pope spoke about many issues, from immigration to climate change and praised the spirit of the american people. so why is the pope coming to philadelphia next on this journey? complicated answer. >> well, i can tell this,
7:14 pm
first and for most, it is because our city hosting the world meeting of families. 18,000 catholics are here to discuss how to make families stronger, pope francis wants to strengthen the family, and the church itself, a church that has suffered here in philadelphia. >> the pope is coming to bring a message of hope, also a message every mission, that this is how, you know, after all the pain, abuse, school closings, parish closings, people effected, you know, come back to the church for those that are away, but how together we move forward. >> and the pope's reason for being here runs even deeper. >> yes, low, low church attendance, after sex abuse scandels by priests, just one of the issues affecting the future of the church. >> for years, the church has made it close to impossible for catholic men and women to get an annullment. pope francis recently changed the rules, making the processes year. he's also calling on priests to have mercy on women who have had abortions, saying, no
7:15 pm
one should be denied forgiveness, if they have repented. it was a stunning change for a church that used to excommunicate women who had abortions, and those who helped them. >> i think that we're looking at just trying to be more inclusive, and more compassionate, maybe more jesus-like. >> pope francis maintains only men can be priests, but for 200us women who are acting as priests, without the blessing of a church, this is an issue of equality, of moving the church into the future. >> we're really talking about a women oppression rights issue here, you know, not just ordination. >> here in philadelphia the archdioces has the lasting scars of long-term priest sex scandal. two grand jury reports detailing abuse and cover-up. >> this didn't have to happen. if the church would have did what it should have did, sean would either be in law enforcement, or in the medical field, he would be married to a beautiful girl he was going out, i would have additional grand kids, we would all have
7:16 pm
sean's company. >> for mike, the hurt does not go away. his son sean died after overdose, that his family blames on the pain of being abused by a trusted parish priest, pope francis has empaneled a vat call commission on abuse, and court to prosecute bishops who do not protect their people. for this father, it is not enough. >> i have no desire to meet the man. there is nothing he can say that would rectify anything. >> and then there is the issue of gay marriage. marge i winters was let go from a local private catholic school when it came to light she was married to a woman. just one of the many issues where gaps remain. the question now, can pope francis help bridge them? >> as we heard earlier in pat's story, the pope has said who is he to judge. he has message every inclusion and an attitude toward mercy. as we continue tonight, she made history, she made history of a child when it was determined only a miracle, a miracle could restore her hearing. how a local woman is part of
7:17 pm
this historic event. >> and asking the pope to lighten our load. >> we all have those pains, and struggles, and prayers, and not that we need our higher power. we need god to help unloosen. >> how yarn and knotts wind together. weaving a symbol of pain and suffering. hear the emotional stories behind the knotts, and what the creators hope francis can do to help. that's when we come back.
7:18 pm
7:19 pm
october 3rd, 1979 pope john paul ii performed a mass at logan circle. officials estimated between one and one and a half million people packed the parkway that day, it is around the same amount of people who are expected to attend pope francis' mass on the parkway this sunday. you might remember a little girl who played a bill role in the canonization of the first saint from philadelphia. >> now she is an adult, and she will play a big part on the world stage this weekend. our kate bilo sat down with her. >> bucks county native amy wall has a special place within the catholic church. born deaf, she gained the ability to hear at age two, after her family's fervent prayers to mother katharine drexel. amy's was decreed the second miracle needed to cannonize katharine drexel as a saint, in october 2,000.
7:20 pm
that day, eight year old amy and in saint peter's square bravely crossed the come stones to receive the eucharist from pope john paul ii. >> do you remember that day? >> oh, my lord, yes. >> now amy is 23. a student fittingly at drexel university, founded by st. katherine's uncle anthony. we talked to her at the campus recreation center about that day. >> everybody wanted to see me, everybody, and it was overwhelming. >> amy remains devout catholic inspired by the fate of her mother who died when amy was 14. >> she was my best friend. she was a scientist, but the strongest fate i've ever seen. >> she wears a cross pass from the her grandfather to her mother placed twice by pope john paul. >> and now i get to meet the new pope. >> what up do think about pope francis? >> i love him. he's awesome. i think he understands like the younger generation more. i'm excited to meet him. >> i'm will give a reading at
7:21 pm
the festival of families, a huge honor for the miracle child who is strong in belief that fate granted her the gift of hearing. >> it doesn't matter if it is scientific explanation. because it is stale miracle. because it happened. >> remarkable. >> yes, such amazing story. you know, lifting up the poor and those who have fallen between the cracks in society, that's been life-long mission of pope francis. >> that's right, and sister mary scully has lived that every single day, and now she has a very powerful new initiative. and as our pat ciarrocchi tells us it, begins with a not. >> knotts, some days, we all feel tied up in knotts, the the knot of pain. >> the not after diction. >> i thank god for blessing me for another day to live and to be sober and clean for a living. >> forgive us our trespasses as we forgive our debtors. >> the knot of homelessness. >> i realize that i was
7:22 pm
homeless for like 25 years, 25 years, mind you. >> i sat with cassandra, peggy, lynette, and sam, at a table scattered with balls of yarn and knots. we tide, we talked, and in that moment i un stood pain can be transformed. for months now, lori lash err spins her wheel, as a volunteer at project home, where sister mary scullian has been transforming the cross of homelessness for decades. >> there is camel, there is yacks, there is goats. >> the wool of 14 animals has been spun into yarn, tide into knotts and woven, transformed into a stole, a gift, to pope francis. >> a stole, so that our holy father could wear all of our knots and struggles and lift them up in prayer and actually feel our knots and struggles. >> all at the table now, in the project home, the fire of
7:23 pm
their pain has brought wisdom. >> as i was thinking when i was tying the knots in a straight line, and i thought that sometimes as we go through these struggles on the path, and so i wanted to represent the loop that sometimes it comes back around, or you get caught in the same struggles. so it loops you. >> i spin as the years, as i was growing up, and it is not getting us know where. it is not getting us know where, you know, we just need to put a stop it t you got to have hope. >> hope. pope francis has been called the pope of hope. >> pain shear is painless on. so that's too what the knots represent. so next to the knotts they write and they write. it opens the door. >> due to those addictions it, led me to losing family,
7:24 pm
families don't want me around them. >> i feel alone a lot of times. i know that i'm not alone. >> not now. this is a community, woven by a shared vision of healing. >> i thank god that he's graced me with relieving me of that struggle with addiction. >> i thank father forgiving me a shelter. >> their life stories written in knots. >> i just hope that when the pope gets here, ill at least be close enough to below him a -- blow him a kiss and say thank you. >> a thank you for so many things. >> please help us, pope. >> well the origin of the pope's devotion is a paint that he happened to see in germany. it is called marry the undoer of knotts. sister marry scallion expected to be on the steps of the cathedral. from what we understand, she will perhaps present this stole to the holy father if in fact that owe durst, it -- occurs, it will be one powerful moment. >> it really comes back to
7:25 pm
hope, doesn't it? >> hope, true. >> it really does. and also sister marry will try to lure the holy father over into a gotto, which is right off the front steps of the cathedral. and it has a painting of mary the undo-er of knotts. what she is really hoping is that he will bless that. >> you and i both know, if anyone can do it, she can. >> pat, thank you so much. >> all right, let's take a live look now at just in front of the stage here, you'll see all of the chairs that are lined up out there. we have got about 7,000 chairs, waiting for people, and it won't be long before those are full of people, ukee. >> philadelphia's the first american city to host the world meeting of families, and it is happening right here, right now. we'll be right back, family.
7:26 pm
7:27 pm
>> counsel on "eyewitness news" for complete coverage of the papal visit. we will take to you every event live during the pope's stay here in philadelphia this weekend. >> you can also catch us any time at cbs philly. com. we've got all of the angles covered for you there. >> history in the making. i'm very excited we'll have front row seats and we'll take you along with us. >> thank you so much for watching our special, the pope in philadelphia. i'm ukee washington. >> i'm jessica dean. good evening.
7:28 pm
7:29 pm
(female announcer) ...when you play the new cash4life, from the pennsylvania lottery. (grover) nice! (husband) 3 club seats. 50 yard line. (female announcer) that means you too could experience the joy of winning. every day, for the rest of your life. (grover) new wheels. nice. see you tomorrow! (female announcer) cash4life from the pennsylvania lottery. play for fun. cash for life.
7:30 pm
>> tonighta rivalry rein vague grated. the redskins roll into new york after a major week two statement. >> 24-10 beating the rams. >> an early heartbreaker with the eli and giants. >> this is one that they must put through their fingers. >> there's no love lost in this

155 Views

info Stream Only

Uploaded by TV Archive on