Inspiring weekend calls us to work for greater good

By Tom Wolf

Over the past nine months, I've had the honor of working with Mayor Nutter, the World Meeting of Families, federal partners, and so many others to ensure that Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the region were prepared for Pope Francis' historic visit to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.

The weekend was a time of deep reflection, exciting fanfare, and tremendous success. As the world watched, the city, state, and region truly shined.

The work of thousands of public and private figures - city and state workers, law enforcement, emergency responders, volunteers, faith leaders - allowed hundreds of thousands from across Pennsylvania and the world to be safe and have an unforgettable experience.

I commend the mayor and his team for going above and beyond to be transparent and to prepare people for security and travel restrictions - even when so many of them were out of their control. I appreciate the residents of Philadelphia and surrounding counties who managed disruptions in their daily lives for a weekend of events that showcased the beauty and uniqueness of the region to the world.

I am incredibly proud of all our state workers - from Pennsylvania Emergency Management, PennDOT, State Police, and the Departments of Health and Human Services - who, along with the men and women of the Pennsylvania National Guard, served with honor and grace.

Everywhere I went over this past weekend, I saw and was reminded of the great work being done by these Pennsylvanians who were called to help visitors and residents alike be safe, be prepared, and, most importantly, enjoy this uplifting and once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The law enforcement and emergency responders working the event showed a tremendous sense of pride and duty.

Thousands of volunteers from the World Meeting of Families, the Red Cross, and so many other organizations amplified Pope Francis' calls for compassion and service to others by giving their time to help.

Corporate and nonprofit partners donated their time and money to ensure that all involved in and affected by the event had the resources they needed.

Law enforcement helped citizens get around safely, and citizens helped law enforcement by listening and being prepared. It was a shining example of how we can be safe and enjoy large-scale events in the times in which we now live.

But beyond what happened on the ground, even for my fellow non-Catholics, the Holy Father's visit served a higher purpose.

This effort proved that when we all work in concert toward the greater good - toward creating an event that brings people together and inspires us all - we can achieve incredible results.

The Holy Father inspired us to look for ways - both inward and outward - to meet his call to make the world a better place, especially for our children, the elderly, and those most in need.

For those of us in government, we must seek to better address poverty and hunger, and to ensure that we're focused on aiding the disabled, sick, and elderly.

For those in the private sector, you must look at how our economy works for all and how we can better lift those who have fallen behind.

For every citizen, it was a beautiful reminder of the importance of community and caring for one another.

As we traveled to the airport on Sunday evening to bid Pope Francis farewell, the clouds broke to allow the sun to shine through.

Let us all take some time to reflect on how we can help the Holy Father's message of inclusion, compassion, and charity shine brighter each day in the future.

Tom Wolf is governor of Pennsylvania. Contact him via www.governor.pa.gov/contact.