The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 today launched its official retail website, shop.worldmeeting2015.org, featuring more than 200 products commemorating the Eighth World Meeting of Families and the visit of Pope Francis, which are available for purchase now.

A groundbreaking ceremony for capital improvement plans was held at Operating Base Cecilia, the headquarters for Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic Social Services (CSS) Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. These plans include a wheelchair lift to the first floor, sloped walkway to the ground floor, shower and laundry facilities, renovated kitchen and dining room, garden project, and an onsite furniture barn.

We’ve been eagerly anticipating today’s news from the Vatican today since it was announced last November that Pope Francis would be with us for the World Meeting of Families.

Pope Francis’ apostolic journey to the United States is “a source of joy and gratitude,” said the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in response to the release of the full visit schedule by the Vatican, June 30

Today, the Vatican released the comprehensive itinerary for Pope Francis’ journey to the United States, including his schedule for Philadelphia on September 26-27, which will close the 6-day Apostolic Journey.

The Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC), in collaboration with Philadelphia Latino business, civic and religious leaders, today announced the official launch of its new initiative entitled the Latino Papal Fund, a mobile giving platform and donation website to raise contributions for the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015.

The U.S. Supreme Court decision, June 26, interpreting the U.S. Constitution to require all states to license and recognize same-sex “marriage” “is a tragic error that harms the common good and most vulnerable among us,” said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

The Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision on marriage is not a surprise. The surprise will come as ordinary people begin to experience, firsthand and painfully, the impact of today’s action on everything they thought they knew about marriage, family life, our laws and our social institutions.

The United States Embassy to the Holy See with the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), VISIT PHILADELPHIA® and the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 yesterday co-hosted a luncheon for international journalists highlighting Philadelphia, PA – host city for the Eighth World Meeting of Families- as a premier destination for international conventions and tourists from around the world.

The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 today provided a comprehensive update regarding the World Meeting of Families Congress (September 22-25) including an overview of current registration figures, volunteer engagement status as well as transportation and housing options for the global event. These updates were shared during a news conference at La Sala Stampa (The Vatican Press Office) in Rome, Italy, at which Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, and Auxiliary Bishop John J. McIntyre presented.