Good news, finally, for papal visit

THE KINDER, gentler Pope Francis visit finally emerged yesterday during a press briefing in Fairmount.

After months of belabored discussions of traffic boxes, bridge and highway closures, perimeter maps, lengthy security checkpoints and general suspension of everyday life in the city, the leaders behind the visit presented an assortment of positives for the Sept. 26 and 27 event.

"This event is not about what you can't do, but all about what you can do in our great city,"said Donna Crilley Farrell, executive director of the World Meeting of Families, who addressed reporters outside Jack's Firehouse restaurant.

Mayor Nutter echoed that sentiment. "We cannot forget that the World Meeting of Families is an event that, while spiritual in nature, is also meant to be joyful," he said. "That means you, Philadelphia."

Fairmount restaurants including Jack's Firehouse, the Bishop's Collar and Rembrandt's will be open for business. So will the Reading Terminal Market, which will have extended hours, while the Down Home Diner inside the market will be open 24 hours from Thursday to Sunday, said its owner, Jack McDavid.

Oh, and hotel rooms are still available.

Nutter denied that the easing of some restrictions was a response to the public outcry over the Draconian measures such closing the Ben Franklin Bridge and movement constrictions.

But Farrell said the World Meeting of Families is "working incredibly hard and fast to address all of the questions and concerns that we've been hearing. We hear you . . . We can't promise we can solve every problem and do it all, but we will try."

The event's change of focus from pain to joy was helped along with an official pronouncement by Farrell. She and the World Meeting of Families team have banned "the use of a certain term containing the words 'traffic' and box,' " she said.

Now, the area formerly known as the traffic box will be known as the "Francis Festival grounds." The area extends from South Street to Girard Avenue, and from the Delaware River to 38th Street.

The closures, boxes, etc., will remain - they're not going anywhere - but Philly and the rest of the world have small gifts of good news to look forward to, as presented by Farrell and Nutter.

* Nutter's previous ominous refrain - "Be prepared to walk at least a few miles, or more" in the box, that is, the Francis grounds - can be forgotten for passengers taking SEPTA and PATCO into Center City. They will not have to walk more than a mile to access the two main event locations, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway or Independence Hall.

Train service will transport riders into the grounds on Saturday and Sunday. SEPTA has availability across all its operations including Regional Rail service from all its 18 operating stations.

* No security checkpoints for people entering the festival grounds via South Street, Girard Avenue, Columbus Boulevard or 38th Street. U.S. Secret Service checkpoints will be close to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Independence Mall.

* There will be food. And you won't have to open your purse to get to it. Food trucks will be on the grounds, along with retail and food and beverage vendors.

* Not to be confused with a certain 1970 song, the World Meeting of Families will launch the "I'll Be There" campaign, which "aims to energize and excite businesses and residents in" the Philadelphia area.

Starting Monday, teams will be delivering #OpeninPHL kits to businesses, including Pope buttons and signage emblazoned with "I'll be there." Share on social media and a lucky winner will fly to Rome.

* Volunteers will hand out holy medals and prayer cards as remembrances of the event on the Francis grounds, Farrell said. "Those gifts will be blessed by Pope Francis when he offers his formal blessing. It doesn't matter where you're standing on the festival grounds."

* There will be Jumbotrons. About 40 of the really big screens will be placed on the grounds and will begin programming at 6 a.m. Saturday. All of Pope Francis' events will be shown live as well as other programming.

Farrell said, "I hope our message today is clear, come and be part of history. Let's not lose sight of the fact that this is a moment we will never have again."