In the Catholic tradition marriage has always been a permanent and loving bond between one man and one woman. Marriage is the genesis of the family—an intimate community of faith and love which reflects the love of Christ and serves as the building block of society.

10,000 tickets were made available online for this event beginning today at 12:00 p.m. EST. Tickets were available on a first come, first served basis and individuals were limited to four (4) tickets per person. There was absolutely no cost associated with these tickets.

The World Meeting of Families –Philadelphia 2015 today announced that The Philly POPS Festival Brass will perform “Fanfare for the Common Man,” as Pope Francis arrives on stage at Independence Hall for his highly anticipated address on immigration and religious liberty on Saturday, September 26.

The following statement is from Donna Crilley Farrell, Executive Director of the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 in celebration of Labor Day

The World Meeting of Families –Philadelphia 2015 today confirmed two papal parades with Pope Francis on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The first parade, which will take the Holy Father from Eakins Oval to/around City Hall, will be prior to the Festival of Families on Saturday, September 26th and will allow all gathered on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and beyond to see the Holy Father up close.

Project HOME has commissioned a public art installation inspired by one of Pope Francis’ favorite religious images, Mary, Undoer of Knots. It will be dedicated today at 11 a.m. outside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

In follow-up to the press release issued earlier today by the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015:
Eighty-five percent of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is open to the public.

Following the release by the United States Secret Service today of its walking map, including pedestrian entry points for the Papal events on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and at Independence Hall, Jumbotron placement on walking routes and its list of prohibited items, the World Meeting of Families –Philadelphia 2015 is providing updated information regarding public access to all events with Pope Francis during the weekend of September 26-27.

Casa del Carmen of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has been awarded a 15,000 dollar grant by PNC Bank for a new Literacy Learning Lab. The lab will primarily serve the children of Casa del Carmen Academy, who are between the ages of three and five years old.

As you know, Pope Francis will join us for the World Meeting of Families later this month, and immigration is an issue close to his heart. So I’m pleased to be here and to share this time with you.