Delaware Catholics prep for Pope Francis

Paul Tanner and Christa Scalies, of Wilmington, are ready for Pope Francis.

The two Christians have been spreading the word for months about the pontiff's September visit to Philadelphia. Their method: A life-sized cutout of the Holy Father, hauled to Rodney Square, Sacred Heart Oratory and events across the region.

"We said, we've got to get the word out," Tanner said about the so-called "Pop-Up Pope." "If I am this excited, everybody should be excited."

Up to 1.5 million people are expected to attend an outdoor Mass led by Francis on Sept. 27 in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, part of a weeklong trip that includes stops in Washington, D.C., New York and Cuba.

The trip is the first U.S. event for the Argentine pontiff, who became pope in 2013 and as a Jesuit has forged a mission of helping those in poverty.

The appearance will require an estimated 10,000 volunteers and resources spread across the region, including among Delaware hospitals. The pontiff is expected to arrive in Philadelphia Sept. 26 for the triennial World Meeting of Families, a five-day international conference focusing on Catholic family life.

The centerpiece will be the outdoor Mass, on Benjamin Franklin Parkway. A final itinerary has not been announced, but Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Archbishop Charles Chaput last week led a delegation to Vatican City to go over plans and security. The last papal visit to Philadelphia was Pope John Paul II in 1979.

With three months to go, many Delaware churches are still determining the best way to have worshipers see the world's most visible faith leader. Diocese of Wilmington officials are leaving planning to parishes, and some are considering live-streaming the Mass.

Word has spread about the projected attendance, which is well over double the entire population of Delaware, and transportation issues.

Leaving morning Mass at St. John The Beloved Catholic Church in Wilmington recently, Luz Heredia said she plans to wait until September to decide if she's taking her family to see the Holy Father in person.

"It is an honor to go and celebrate Mass with him," Heredia said. "We might not go because of the crowds, but we will see."

Most hotels close to Philadelphia have been booked. Nutter has said private vehicles will not be a viable transportation option and said those taking transit should be prepared to walk up to a couple miles.

At Saint Paul's Catholic Church in Wilmington, Luis Barcenas, a devoted Roman Catholic originally from Queretaro, Mexico, said seeing the pontiff would hold a special place because Francis is the first pope from Latin America. Barcenas, who sings and plays in the church band, said the pope is revolutionizing the church and Latinos identify with him.

"It's beautiful and so great that he's coming here at this time to this country, because we are living in a time where people don't really worry for others," Barcenas said. "Love doesn't exist between one another anymore. We have forgotten so much about charity, caring and love for one another, and that is what he is teaching us."

Still, Barcenas said, there are worries about crowds and logistics.

"There is going to be the situation of all those people trying to see him," Barcenas said in Spanish. "I really don't think I'll be able to see him."

The Rev. Todd Carpenter, who leads Spanish-language Masses at Saint Paul's, is familiar with the concern, because some details haven't been released.

"The problem is that there are going to be many people there," Carpenter said. "I'm sure it is going to be a long day, and I don't know how much standing is going to be required for people who are waiting."

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is projecting up to 700,000 passengers each day during the Francis visit. The agency on Sept. 26 and 27 will be reducing the number of stations being used and offering $10 transit passes. The only Delaware pick-up will be at the Wilmington station at 100 French St.

Amtrak will continue to operate as normal, but will require reservations for the weekend of the Papal visit. Organizers recommend planning ahead and having other options for getting around.

Hospital staff pay very close attention to such large events, said Chris Manning, spokesman for Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, less than an hour's drive from Philadelphia.

The hospital is receiving guidance from the Delaware Valley Healthcare Council. Nemours will follow the state's lead to see how to organize as the event gets closer in case there was an emergency and assess how many beds would be available if Philadelphia-area hospitals are swamped.

Mark Ross, regional manager of emergency preparedness for the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, said all hospitals in Delaware will be invited to take part in monthly meetings in July, August and September to discuss preparation plans for the papal visit. So far, representatives from Nemours have been disseminating information to Delaware hospitals.

Preliminary plans include stocking up on medical supplies to get patients through the weekend and having staff sleep overnight at hospitals to be ready to care for patients in the morning if traveling is difficult.

"This whole region is going to see a couple million visitors," Ross said. "I think we are all going to be impacted … It is a great thing for the entire region."

Tanner, the "Pop Up Pope" creator, said he will do whatever necessary to attend the Mass, even if it means camping out overnight to save a space. He said it's hard to pass up.

"We are so close — and it is a once in a lifetime opportunity," Tanner said. "How could you miss that? Especially being Catholic."

Scalies, meanwhile, is prepared to walk up to six miles – the distance from where she'll be staying with family — to the Mass site. She has a plan in place and advises others follow her lead.

"I think people are going to be kicking themselves come September," Scalies said, "if they don't plan it out now."

Jen Rini, of The News Journal, contributed to this story.

Contact Jenna Pizzi at jpizzi@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2837 . Folllow her on Twitter @JennaPizzi.