Franklin Institute’s Vatican Splendors Opening Gala

Guests came out to celebrate a new exhibit dedicated to the Catholic church's impact on art, history and culture.

The Franklin Institute held a gala opening for Vatican Splendors, a new exhibit to coincide with Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia. Art patrons and supporters of the science center walked the red carpet and into the museum where trumpeters guided them toward the exhibit on the upper floors where over 200 works of art and historically significant objects depicting the history of the Church and its impact on art, history and culture will be housed until February 15, 2016. Guests then dined in the Grand Hall with music by The Herreras and danced and enjoyed dessert to Blues Junior band (Mole Street Productions) in the Atrium. At 9 p.m. the museum welcomed the Franklin Institute Young Friends to the party, which continued until nearly midnight.

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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.