PHILADELPHIA (PA)
New York Times
Sep 26, 2015
Jon Hurdle
Pope Francis arrived at the west door of the basilica at 10:17 and was greeted by applause and some cheers by more than 2,000 clergy members and lay Catholics who had been waiting for more than two hours in a side chapel.
He walked in a procession with other church leaders up the nave, as many clergy took photos of him. He raised his hand to greet them.
After briefly moving to a side room, the pope reappeared wearing a mitre and carrying a crucifix, accompanied by bishops.
The pope ascended to the altar and kissed a white-covered table before unsteadily descending several steps, held on both sides by church officials.
Speaking in heavily accented English, Pope Francis gave a blessing, and then delivered his homily in Spanish, pausing regularly for an English interpreter.
He called for a “much more active engagement on the part of the laity.”
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