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Philadelphia Catholics prepare for Pope Francis' fall visit

Mayor Nutter joined church officials at blessing of new atrium at a North Philly church that is expected to draw visitors during the World Meeting of Families

Mayor Michael Nutter, at left, helps students from St. Peter the Apostle School add items to a time capsule as he joins Roman Catholic church officials at the blessing of a new atrium at the National Shrine of St. John Neumann in Philadelphia on January 5, 2015. ( DAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer )
Mayor Michael Nutter, at left, helps students from St. Peter the Apostle School add items to a time capsule as he joins Roman Catholic church officials at the blessing of a new atrium at the National Shrine of St. John Neumann in Philadelphia on January 5, 2015. ( DAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer )Read more

AT YESTERDAY'S blessing of the new atrium at the National Shrine of St. John Neumann, children sang angelically. Bishop John J. McIntyre sprinkled Holy Water and Mayor Nutter drew laughs by confessing that he was in need of the dousing he received.

The celebration, which coincided with the annual Feast of St. John Neumann and the 155th anniversary of his death, also marked the beginning of the year in which the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the city plan to host Pope Francis and multitudes of the faithful at the World Meeting of Families in September.

"Philadelphia is fully prepared to host His Holiness, Pope Francis, and a few million or so of his closest friends," said Nutter, noting that Philadelphia is the first U.S. city to host the triennial gathering of Catholics.

The new North Philadelphia atrium was completed on Saturday at a cost of $350,000, said the Rev. Alfred Bradley, pastor of the Parish of St. Peter the Apostle and director of the shrine - which are housed at the same complex.

"We wanted it to be a place of tranquillity in the middle of the hustle of the inner city. A place where anyone can come in and experience the peace of God, take time to pray and come closer to God," Bradley said of the atrium, noting its water fountain and a planned outdoor park.

Following the blessing of the atrium, students from the adjacent St. Peter the Apostle School loaded a time capsule with miniature flags representing the countries from which their families had emigrated. Nutter and Bishop McIntyre, the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese, added flags representing the United States, Pennsylvania, the papacy and Argentina, the latter in honor of Pope Francis' place of birth.

More items will be added to the capsule before it is placed in the atrium's cornerstone and sealed for 100 years, Bradley said.

St. John Neumann, who died in Philadelphia on Jan. 5, 1860, and whose remains are preserved and on display at his shrine, focused on bringing immigrant families to the church. That mission continues today, Bradley said.