From Sept. 25 to Sept. 27, Pope Francis will be visiting the United States. This is the first time any Pope would be attending the World Meeting of Families in years. His first stop will be in Washington D.C., then New York and finally completing his tour in Philadelphia. With the pope coming to the Philadelphia city of Brotherly Love, Cabrini College and many other colleges, facilities and much more have had to make many changes to their original schedule.
“Cabrini’s schedule as far as public safety has not really changed. If anything it will be a quiet campus. We still abide our 24/7 schedule,” Tom Pulmer, Public Safety Officer said. The college campus may not be taking safety measures but the city of Philadelphia and New York have enhanced security throughout the entire city, as well as closing public transportation resources.
“Closing the entire city for just one person to me is not fair. It is good for the Catholic religion but it is disheartening to think that just because he is here everything has to stop,” Laurel Moss, Cabrini College dining hall supervisor, said.
With the Pope coming to the Philadelphia area and public transportation closing, the college also had to make adjustments to their normal schedule for everyone. Students will be given online classes on Friday, Sept. 25 and Mon. Sept. 28. This was decided amongst many of the faculty, Student Life, and Academic Affairs.
“Mostly because we have enough students attending classes that commute from outside of the state and where all the traffic will be located, we feel it is not fair to them to have to make that commute and it would be in their best interest to hold classes online and not face to face,” Dr. Jeff Gingerich, Dean of Academic Affairs, said.
“This is a very historical trip. It is great for the catholics who are in the area to have this opportunity for the Pope to come to the country. It is a meaningful opportunity even for the non catholics. Everything the Pope says is about inclusion. He wants all faiths to have an understanding of God’s love and it is a great opportunity for us to re think why we are here,” George Stroud, Assistant Vice President of student life and dean of students said.
There are many different opinions on what the benefits of the Pope coming to the United States. His message is very similar and reflective of our own Mother Cabrini.
“The Pope has spoken publicly about the importance of Mother Cabrini’s message in his own life. It amazes me how Pope Francis and Mother Cabrini’s backgrounds and history intertwined, and how he was influenced by her,” Jeff Gingerich, dean of academic affairs, said.
The students of Cabrini College are given the opportunity to actually go visit the Pope in the city of Philadelphia. Several students in several departments will be attending with faculty and staff by train. The opportunity is there but some feel that this is not necessary.
“I may be catholic but I don’t really see the point in me going to visit the Pope. It would be a great opportunity. I know my parents will be there but I will be working. I still have to go through my daily routine regardless,” sophomore, Rita Alcaraz, said.
With all the adjustments and schedule changing for Cabrini College and the tri-state area, the Pope’s visit is made out to be a positive influence for the people that will be taking the trip to see him.
“It is wonderful that your church is being put up on the world stage and it is just another level of attention given to the catholic church,”Rev. Carl F. Janicki, campus ministry director, said. “His presence is going to engage people in a lot of conversation about the world, marriage and many positive outlooks. He brings nothing but positivity to the United States.”
