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September 14, 2015

World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 Unveils Official Banners and Installs the First of More Than 550 Event Banners across the City

Philadelphia, PA (September 14, 2015) – The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 today unveiled the official World Meeting of Families Banners and celebrated the first banner installations in front of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, where Pope Francis will celebrate Mass on Saturday, September 26.  As the City of Philadelphia readies to welcome the Holy Father in less than two weeks, residents and visitors from around the world will be greeted by beautiful and vibrantly colored banners that not only feature smiling images of Pope Francis, himself, but also his own words, which speak to the importance of this global event.

More than 550 banners will be flown across Center City, reflecting the single largest banner installation in 15 years, when the City of Philadelphia hosted the Republican National Convention. The following quotations from Pope Francis are featured on the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 Banners:

  • “Have the courage to be truly happy.”
  • “We all have the duty to do good.”
  • “Love is the measure of faith.”

“These striking banners will mark a historic moment for the City of Philadelphia and our Archdiocese,” said Donna Crilley Farrell, Executive Director of the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015. “As we developed these colorful banners, we wanted Pope Francis’ messages of unity, hope and love for the family to be the centerpiece.  Whether Catholic or of another faith tradition, Pope Francis’ words touch hearts and call all of us to serve.  The Holy Father’s words are what have made him such a transformative global leader.  As we prepare for his visit in just 12 days, these banners will remind us all just how special and grace-filled Pope Francis’ presence in Philadelphia will be.”

Co-sponsored by the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the World Meeting of Families is a triennial global event that seeks to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe and highlight its intrinsic value to the good of society. This international gathering will welcome Pope Francis to the United States for the first time in his Papacy. Being held in the United States for the first time ever, the official theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families is “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.”

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, visit www.WorldMeeting2015.org.  For more information regarding The Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family, which co-sponsors the World Meeting of Families, visit http://www.familiam.org/famiglia_eng/00002554_HOME_ENG.html. You can also engage the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia on Facebook (World Meeting of Families 2015) (Encuentro Mundial de las Familias – Filadelfia 2015), Twitter (@WMF2015) (@WMF2015ES) and Instagram (WMF2015).

About World Meetings of Families

Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015).  Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.