Highlights of the Pope’s First Day in Philly

The stories and pictures that captured the profundity and the craziness.

Follow Philadelphia magazine’s live coverage of Pope Francis’s historic visit all weekend long.

The Arrival

» The Pope Has Landed


The Mass at the Basilica

Photograph by HughE Dillon

» In Homily, Pope Francis Calls for Greater Role for Laity … and Women?

» Photos: Pope Francis’s Basilica Mass
» 8 Takeaways From Pope Francis’s Moving Mass

The Independence Hall Speech

» WATCH: Adoring Crowds Cheer as Pope Kisses Babies

The wind lifts Pope Francis' mantle as he delivers his speech in front of Independence Hall, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015.

» Pope Francis Speaks Directly to Immigrants — in Spanish

The Streets

» Our Favorite Instagrams From the PopeRide
» #DeadInPhilly: You Can Eat Pretty Much Anywhere You Want Tonight
» It’s Shockingly Easy to Get Into Philly

Cyclists take to the streets during the Pope Ride Saturday. | Photo by Jesse Delaney

» Philly Is An Urbanist Utopia Right Now

The Feel-Good Stories

Aaron Miranda holds his papal mass tickets. He's flanked by his family and the author.

» Johnny Doc Scores Papal Mass Tickets for Adorable San Diego Family

Ambulance gets police escort into Philadelphia to deliver a life-saving kidney to Jefferson University Hospital.

» Woman Gets “Miracle” Kidney in Middle of Pope Francis Visit

The Controversies

Briefing the media were Louisville Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi, his assistant Rev. Manuel Dorantes, and a staffer from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops | Joel Mathis, Philly Mag

» Will Pope Francis Meet With Sex Abuse Survivors?
» What’s It Like Being Homeless in Popeadelphia?

The Commentary

In this photo taken Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, and provided by U.S. Rep. Bob Brady's office, Brady, D-Pa., holds a glass that Pope Francis used during his speech to Congress, while standing outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington. As Pope Francis left the chamber Thursday, Brady, who is Roman Catholic, headed to the lectern to retrieve the pontiff's drinking glass. (Stan White/U.S. Rep. Bob Brady's office via AP)

» Dear Bob Brady: Here’s What You Need to Do With the Pope Glass You Took
» Did You Know: If You’re Catholic, You Can Get an Indulgence During Pope’s Visit

Photo | Bradley Maule

» 10 Reasons Philadelphia Is a Better Version of Itself Right Now

The Photo Essays

Photo | Jeff Fusco

» Inside the Pope Francis Crowds
» Popeadelphia Photos of the Day: Saturday Edition