Watch CBS News

Local School Sends A Special Message To Pope Francis

By Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS)--Philadelphia's only Jesuit elementary school has put out the welcome mat for the Pope, if he visits for the World Meeting of Families - a big Catholic event - to be held in Philadelphia in September, 2015.

Each of the students, including 5th grader Dhmyni Samuels at Gesu School at 17th and Thompson Streets in North Philadelphia signed a custom-made greeting card to be sent to Pope Francis.

"Gesu is a really cool school. He would like it here."

Director of Communications at Gesu, Karen Rueda, says they were thrilled when they heard Francis, the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires was elected. She says the entire school was delighted to hear that they had a Jesuit Pope who has shown a common touch to the vulnerable and the poor.

"Gesu means Jesus, we thought it would be really cool to have the kids actually forming out that word on the roof, taking a picture of it, then turning it into a card and sending it to him."

Ten-year-old Kyanna Randolph was among the nearly 450 students who went up on the roof for the photo op.

She says it's, "a one-time chance to see a Pope from Rome."

gesu students 1
(credit: Steve Tawa)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.