Local Residents Make Plans For September Papal Visit
By Kristen Johanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Sunday marked exactly 2 months from the Papal visit to Philadelphia, and many Catholics are still deciding whether to stay for his mass, or head out of town.
City resident Adam Grutzmacher is a member of the St. Patrick's Parish in Philadelphia, and is planning to head to the shore or hunker down with his family in his condo for the Pope visit.
"I don't think we will be going to the World Meeting of Families," Grutzmacher said. "I doubt we will go see him, I am curious about going to see him on the parkway, but I tend to stay away from large crowds."
But for Perkasie native Irene Kelly, who came down to the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for mass, this is an opportunity she can't miss.
"I hope we can come down here, since my granddaughter lives down here, hopefully stay at her apartment and get to see the Pope from afar," said Kelly. "Just being in the realm, we will be happy."
Ted Dahlberg lives in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood and said although he is planning to stay-in, he understands the attraction.
"Another part of me would be very intrigued to come up here and see the multitude of people, and also, it's such a great moment in Philadelphia in a global sense, people coming in from all over the world," Dahlberg said."It's a time for us to shine on the world stage."
For West Philly resident Terrance Williams, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that he wouldn't miss for anything. He is hoping to catch a glimpse of the Pope, even if he has to bring a tent.
"I am going to try and find my way down here, but it is going to be a lot of people of course, and a lot of traffic," Williams said. "I know some people were trying to come the day before and camp out, so I will see if I can make it close enough to see him."
