Wounded Police Officer And Family Selected To Greet Pope Francis In Philadelphia
By Mike Dougherty
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has selected one family to greet Pope Francis when he arrives in the city at the end of September.
Four out of five members of the Bowes family were shocked to hear the announcement following the 10:30 a.m. mass Sunday at St. Christopher's Parish in Somerton.
"I've known for a couple of days," said Rick Bowes, "and I still can't even wrap my head around this."
Bowes wife, Bernadette, whose mother just passed away, was overcome with emotions when the announcement was made.
"It's unfathomable. This opportunity for our children, it's just so humbling," she said. "We could think of 50 other families who deserve this more than us."
Rick is a former Philadelphia police officer, who was forced to retire after being shot in the line of duty. Monsignor Joseph Gavin called them the perfect family to greet Pope Francis.
"You saw the reaction of the people that were here," he said. "I wouldn't have known who to pick besides them."
From what to wear to what to say to Pope Francis, the Bowes will have a lot to think about over the next two weeks.
