Hundreds of thousands gathered in Philadelphia September 26-27 for the World Meeting of Families and the visit of Pope Francis. For many, it meant hours and hours of waiting along police barricades for the briefest glimpse of the pontiff as he rode past the crowd twice, first on Saturday night and again on Sunday afternoon.
Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia Congregation in Nashville, TN watch and listen to Pope Francis during private mass held in the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul Saturday. / Photo by Cameron Hart
A young boy poses for a picture inside the "Knotted Grotto" Friday. The art installation is outside the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. / Photo by Cameron Hart
Mary Anne Spigonardo of Philadelphia cheers as the Pope enters the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on Saturday. She was excited to attend the address on Independence Mall later in the day. / Photo by Caity Kramer
Pope Francis waves to the crowd as he enters the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul for mass Saturday morning. / Photo by Caity Kramer
A Nigerian choir member of the Blessed Iwene Tansi Igbo Catholic Community plays his traditional handmade wood flute near the Logan Circle stage Saturday. The BITICC choir played for the crowd during a concert series which also included dancers, musicians and other acts.
/ Photo by Cameron Hart
A nun says hello to a woman's baby at the edge of Benjamin Franklin Parkway while waiting for the Pope's parade on Saturday. / Photo by Haley Nelson
A woman rests on the barrier at the edge of Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Saturday. / Photo by Haley Nelson
A young boy crawls between the legs of the crowd to get a good vantage point to capture Pope Francis' arrival on Saturday. / Photo by Haley Nelson
Children reach out to pet the police horse while waiting for the arrival of Pope Francis on Saturday. / Photo by Haley Nelson
Pope Francis rides down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Saturday evening. / Photo by Haley Nelson
The crowd leaves after Pope Francis's parade on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Saturday evening. / Photo by Cameron Hart
A young boy leans on the barriers on Saturday. Crowds began to line the parade route along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Pa mid-afternoon, in hopes of seeing Pope Francis during his evening parade. / Photo by Caity Kramer
Pope Francis reads the Lords Prayer during a visit to Independence Mall as spectators watch a screen placed outside of Logan Circle Saturday afternoon. / Photo by Cameron Hart
A man joins other pilgrims in song and dance during a "Circle of Praise" in Logan Circle before the Pope parade Saturday. / Photo by Cameron Hart
Philadelphia police officers Reymer,left and Quinn take a break along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway during their 14-hour shift Sunday during Pope Francis’s visit to Philadelphia. / Photo by Cameron Hart
A nun prays in Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul Sunday. / Photo by Haley Nelson
Edgar Lemus of St.Peter’s – St. Denis Church in Yonkers, New York prays during Sunday morning Mass in Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. / Photo by Cameron Hart
Kaitlyn Arcede and her father Felix, of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Ridgewood, NJ, sleep on chairs along the parade route near Logan Circle Sunday morning waiting for the Pope's arrival. / Photo by Cameron Hart
Spectators try to get comfortable along the police barriers at Logan Square as people settle in for a long wait for Pope Francis' parade around the square on Sunday. / Photo by Haley Nelson
Pope Francis waves to the crowd along Logan Circle from his Popemobile during his final parade through Philadelphia. / Photo by Cameron Hart
A woman closes her eyes as she listens to a hymn during Mass Sunday afternoon. / Photo by Cameron Hart
Pope Francis waves to the crowd as he circles Logan Square before his final Mass of this trip to the United States. / Photo by Haley Nelson