Preview Walk Across Benjamin Franklin Bridge Held Ahead Of Papal Visit
By Pat Ciarrocchi
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Members of the media joined transportation officials for a Papal visit preview walk across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
"This is a nice way to start."
Sacrifice.
It's a word that Ivette Cotto of Pennsauken says with the ease of a woman filled with faith.
Thursday, her faith journey took Ivette and her friend Nancy Ochoa up and over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge from Camden.
"I think a lot of people will be able to do it. The old people that think they will be not able to walk, but we are walking today fast. That day, they can go at their own pace," said Cotto.
When New Jersey Transit executives decided to walk the nearly five miles from what will be a closed bridge to the Art Museum to see Pope Francis, CBS 3 Eyewitness News asked Ivette and Nancy to join on the same walk.
"We need to have God in our heart. What I like about the Pope is that he concentrates on families," said Cotto.
Ivette is a church leader at Mary Queen of All Saints in Camden's diocese. She came from Puerto Rico 13 years ago. In September, she'll be hosting 20 members of her family from Puerto Rico and they'll all walk back and forth because Francis the Argentine pope who will speak in his and their native Spanish is worth it.
"My house is going to be a hotel for them," said Cotto.
Ivette and Nancy were fearless, even at the top of the bridge. A water bottle, a sign and the intention that walking to see Pope Francis has to ignite a miracle for families, a miracle that Ivette says is so needed.
"One of the sacrifices will be to walk and be there for the mass. And just offer all the sacrifice for our families. I think this is the best time to do it, have Pope Francis close to us and that's for the miracle from heaven," said Cotto.
