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Pope Francis To Deliver Speech From Treasured US Artifact

By John McDevitt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- One of Pope Francis' public events in Philadelphia will take place at Independence hall where he is expected to talk about immigration and religious freedoms. The lectern he will delivering his speech from is a treasured artifact from US history.

It's called the Gettysburg Lectern used by President Abraham Lincoln to deliver the Gettysburg address on November 19th, 1863.

Gettysburg Lectern
The Gettysburg Lectern. (Credit: John McDevitt)

The announcement about the papal podium was made at the Union League in Center City.

Bob Ciaruffoli  is the president and chairman of the board for World Meeting of Families, the event bringing the Pope to Philadelphia.

"Lincoln's speech the Gettysburg address was in fact a transformative speech for our nation this is a transformative Pope," says Ciaruffoli, "When he speaks people listen. he speaks, he does a tremendous amount of global talking about social justice issues religious freedom. our country was built around religious freedom. and there is just a great tie in."

The Gettysburg Lectern is among artifacts on display at the union league's Heritage Center where John Meko is the executive director of foundations.

"Most recently is was used by Admiral Lynch the President of the Union League in 2013 on the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg address." says Meko.

Pope Francis will make his speech from the lectern at Independence hall on September 26th, feet away from where presidents Lincoln and Kennedy delivered speeches.

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