Pope provides an awakening

Joy and hope

As a fairly new resident in the region, I feel an elevated sense of pride, as Philadelphia certainly proved its ability and showcased its unique character while hosting the World Meeting of Families 2015.

A large share of gratitude is deserved by our men and women in uniform, who ensured our security and safety. In a year in which police officers have come under great scrutiny nationwide, this event should instill a sense of pride in our police departments throughout the region. Thank you for providing a sense of safety and even goodwill as you worked long hours, away from your precious families, to serve the city with such joy and helpfulness.

I am not blind to the challenges our great city continues to face, including education and poverty. Each of us can take to heart the words and actions of Pope Francis that reflect a God that loves.

Philadelphia was blessed to have this opportunity, and I carry the hope and prayer that the great expense and effort is fruitful as we apply these words of wisdom and use our collective talents, gifts, and abilities to make our city even greater.

|Mike Staub, Bryn Mawr, mikepstaub@gmail.com

Embrace prodigals

In Washington, Pope Francis went off-script, breaking bread with the homeless instead of power brokers. In Philadelphia, at the Festival of Families, he had no such opportunity.

The pope sat on a dais, flanked by four clergy, all white men. Families representing six continents read prepared remarks, looking like supplicants.

For 2,000 years, the Roman Catholic Church has gathered moral authority around visible symbols - cross, shepherd's crook, keys to the kingdom. How can it be blind to the image of four white clergymen flanking a papal throne in this most media-saturated age?

Where were the prodigals at this feast of families? Divorcees, women who have endured

abortions, same-sex couples? Couldn't they have shared the dais with the pope?

You movers and shakers in the Catholic Church - give way. Follow Francis off-script and invite the prodigals -

Catholicism's homeless - to the feast. Break bread with them. You'll be amazed at the riches they return to our Church.

|Rick Topper, Glenside, rick.topper@gmail.com

An uplifting visit

Have just finished watching the coverage of Pope Francis' visit. Feel as though I've just seen Jesus walking these streets in the person of this pope.

|Kathleen Long, Collegeville

'City of Brotherly Love'

My family came from Carrollton, Ohio, to Philadelphia last weekend. A family in Yardley opened their home to us. One of their neighbors brought over a welcome card and chocolates for the kids. Another brought over a soccer goal for them to use.

The police and SEPTA employees in Langhorne were extremely friendly and helpful. They wished us well in the morning and welcomed us back in the evening.

Police and National Guard members in Center City were ready to provide anything, even the answers to questions they probably were asked a thousand times. When they didn't know the answer, they tried to find out. The same can be said of all the volunteers. Everyone rose to the occasion and was an ambassador of their fine city.

The people of Philadelphia gave up their city to us and must have been inconvenienced in a million ways. I wish they could all have experienced the sound of choirs in front of City Hall, where there usually are the sounds of trucks, horns, and the bustle of everyday life.

For all of your sacrifices, thank you for the experience of a lifetime. You will always be the City of Brotherly Love to me and my family.

|Daniel D. Pesta; Carrollton, Ohio; towardus@gmail.com

No Mass – just a mass of humanity

My husband and I drove from New Hampshire for the papal Mass on Sunday. We got to the 19th Street checkpoint about 11:30 a.m. and waited for about 61/2 hours. When we got 15 feet from the gate, they shut it down. Mass was over by then, but there was no way to know, since we could not see or hear what was happening inside; there were no speakers or Jumbotrons outside the secure area.

Then, a police officer shouted, "We're closed. Go home." But we were penned in by barricades and pilgrims who could not hear the announcement. The communication was deplorable; the only person with a public-address system was the guy hawking pretzels.

At least it was just the two of us. There were several tour groups that had paid for buses to come from several states away and did not get in.

There were few signs directing us to the checkpoints and no crowd control or management - just a large uniformed presence. And how does it make sense to have three operational metal detectors at a checkpoint when you're expecting one million people?

When they closed our gate, we were told that the 20th Street checkpoint was open, which was untrue by the time we got there.

I understand the mayor is congratulating himself on a great event. We experienced nothing but a packed crowd. While we love Pope Francis and were glad there was no major security incident, that isn't necessarily the best or only metric by which to measure the success of the event.

|Jason Wells and Courtney Eschbach, Pembroke, N.H.

A bittersweet experience

I worked as a volunteer during the pope's visit. Overall, it was a grand success and an amazing moment of grace for Philadelphia.

On Sunday, I visited most of the security checkpoints north and south of the Parkway. Sadly, thousands of visitors, some who traveled from other states or countries, never made it past the checkpoints. On one line, a kind neighbor brought out a TV so the disappointed visitors could at least watch the Mass.

I understand the Secret Service was in charge of security, and the city apparently had no control. It is particularly sad because there were additional checkpoints on Saturday that were shut down on Sunday. My heart goes out to those who waited up to five hours in line and never got onto the Parkway.

Many in line made the most of their time, singing and creating a spiritual event where they stood. But as I stood on the Parkway, listening to the beautiful Mass, my thoughts were with those pilgrims who were stranded outside the gates.

|Randy Girer, Philadelphia

Kept away by 'draconian measures'

Mayor Nutter is blaming the messenger when he criticizes the media over the anxious buildup and drastic security measures ("Nutter exalts over the papal visit," Tuesday).

Maybe it was the mayor's public relations office, or possibly the Secret Service's disjointed, confusing, "over the top" security concerns. Who thought it necessary to have a heavy National Guard presence? Any desire I had to participate in the pope's visit was dashed by the draconian measures being imposed.

|Timothy Walsh, Havertown