After the historic
announcement by Pope Francis that he will visit Philadelphia next
September, the reality of the challenges and joys of the event is
sinking in for planners, civic officials and ordinary Catholics in the
Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It will be a "once-in-a-lifetime chance for
Philadelphia to shine," Daniel Hilferty called the 2015 World Meeting
of Families, which will be capped by the papal visit to the city.
Chairman of the meeting's Executive Leadership Committee, he said the
event will require unprecedented coordination and support. During a news
conference at the Philadelphia Art Museum Nov. 17, the day the pope
confirmed his visit at the Vatican, Hilferty called on the region's
business community to contribute financial and corporate support to the
event. He said the fundraising effort was "more than halfway toward the
goal," which he did not state. Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput
has said he plans to announce the status of fundraising efforts early
in 2015. That is just one of the issues facing organizers before next
fall. One thorny issue had been the inability for people registering for
the families' meeting also to secure hotel rooms for the three days of
the papal visit -- because it was unconfirmed, the rooms were not made
available. Now they can be booked.
Pope Saint John Paul II , a towering figure of the 20th century, was a staunch critic of socialist ideologies. He recognized the inherent flaws in systems that sought to control economies and societies through centralized planning and state ownership. The pontiff's teachings offered a prophetic warning against the dangers of such regimes, which often led to oppression, poverty, and the erosion of individual freedoms. Recently, a conference organized by the Catholic Association of Propagandists in Spain brought together prominent figures who echoed the concerns raised by the late Pope. Bishop José Ignacio Munilla of Orihuela-Alicante boldly declared socialism an "enemy of the cross," highlighting its incompatibility with Christian values. He emphasized the need for a spiritual renewal, urging individuals to embrace the cross as a path to true happiness and fulfillment. French philosopher Fabrice Hadjadj also addressed the challenges posed by modern society, warning ag...