Vatican Aide Says Pope Visit To Liberty Bell Likely
By Mark Abrams
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- When Pope Francis comes to Philadelphia this September for the World Meeting of Families a high-level member of his advance team says a visit to the symbol of the nation's liberty will be on his agenda.
The pope's team from the Vatican was in town Monday to finalize his schedule of events for the last weekend of September when he'll be here to close out the World Meeting event.
Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia says he spoke with the pope before leaving for Philadelphia and was told to scout locations the Holy Father wants to visit.
One of them, Paglia says, will be a stop at Independence Mall.
"Without doubt, he has to do this. He has to realize an event exactly in front of the Liberty Bell, I am sure, this will be."
(Abrams:) "Something like that will happen?"
"Absolutely."
The Vatican archbishop was cautious about saying much more, although his actions may have tipped his hand on another possible stop -- the shrine of St. John Neumann in North Philadelphia.
Paglia and the delegation visited St. Peter the Apostle Church -- site of the shrine and home to remains of the first American saint.
