Be thankful, grateful, patient, charitable, kind, and don’t forget to smile, as it is infectious. God Bless America and Protect Our Military!!
The date was October 3, 1979, when “Shepherd One” would land at Philadelphia International Airport, carrying Pope John Paul II for a two-day visit to our area to hold Mass at Logan Circle. He would be welcomed by longtime friend Cardinal John Krol and Mayor Frank Rizzo.
The irony is that on that day, the Pope’s plane was delayed. So, we were sitting in our living room, my friend Mike was visiting, and Nancy’s uncle Chal, who grew up with Nancy and was a regular at our house, was helping with the kids, watching the news coverage. I remember saying I wanted to take the ride to see if I could at least get a glimpse of Him and asking if anyone was interested. My friend Mike and Uncle Chal immediately said they wanted to go. Nancy said, “I will be putting dinner on soon. Why don’t you go and try to get back before dinner? “
We started out from Drexel Hill about 2:20. I was working down in South Philly then and was very familiar with the ride. As we were heading on Island Avenue towards the Industrial Hwy and the Airport Circle back then, it came on the radio that the Pope’s plane had just landed. I think everyone on the road had the same idea, so we parked just north of Essington Ave. on Enterprise Ave. It seemed everyone hopped out of the car and made a beeline to the International Airport Gate about a half-block down from Essington/Bartram Avenue ramp. It was a hot day, and I began telling my friend and my wife’s uncle that the only shade was three small trees in front of the SW Pollution Control Center.
As we walked the short distance, a man about my age was walking with his 5-year-old son and holding his 2-year-old daughter. He was just behind us and overheard my conversation, saying, “Do you really think he will come by there?” I turned and said it’s as good a place as any, and, pointing down the road to the Overseas Terminal gate, added, “We won’t be in that crowd!” So, we went the six of us and stood under the shade of those three small trees. I said, while standing there, that as his car turns this corner, it would be the first view of the city’s skyline.
Like something out of a movie, the Pope Mobile emerged slowly as the crowd’s joyous chants filled the air. It crept forward just enough to navigate towards the I-95 ramp. As the crowd chased after the vehicle, it turned the corner and came to a stop in front of our small group. The Pope, emerging from the top of the car, raised his hand and gave us his blessing. Then, climbing back in, they drove off to their downtown destination in Logan Square, where he would perform a public Mass.
He was here in Philadelphia for a two-day visit.
Saint John Paul II was born on May 18, 1920, and passed away on April 2, 2005. Following his funeral mass on Friday, April 8, 2005, he was laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome. He was declared venerable by Pope Benedict XVI and beatified on May 1, 2011. He was canonized a Saint on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014. His Feast Day is celebrated on October 22.
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