Francis' Arrival At Philly Cathedral - Full Video

Pope Francis arrived at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul to celebrate Mass shortly after his arrival in Philadelphia, the last city on his U.S. tour.

Pope's Philly Homily: "What About YOU?"

While celebrating mass in Philadelphia, Pope Francis recalled a local saint's exchange with one of his papal predecessors and reminded parishioners of their duty to build up the church "as best we can."

Highlights Of Pope's Remarks At Ground Zero

The Memorial at Ground Zero, built at the site where on 11 September 2001 the Twin Towers collapsed after being struck by two aircraft in a terrorist attack that caused 2,896 deaths, was the second stop of the Pope's visit to New York. The Memorial is now a park of almost 33,000 square metres with a grove of white oak trees and two artificial waterfalls that flow into two large pools where the Twin Towers were previously located. These are surrounded by a low bronze wall on which there are engraved the names of all the victims of the attacks on the World Trade Centre on 26 February 1993 and 11 September 2001. Below ground, where the foundations of the Twin Towers lay, there is a museum commemorating the tragic events. Upon arrival Francis, accompanied by Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, archbishop of New York, left a flower near the waterfall and at the Memorial building where he was awaited by a rabbi and an imam of New York. He said a prayer for peace, which was followed by five meditations on peace (Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Christian and Muslim) and a Jewish prayer for the deceased, after which the Pope pronounced a discourse. “I feel many different emotions standing here at Ground Zero, where thousands of lives were taken in a senseless act of destruction. Here grief is palpable. The water we see flowing towards that empty pit reminds us of all those lives which fell prey to those who think that destruction, tearing down, is the only way to settle conflicts. It is the silent cry of those who were victims of a mindset which knows only violence, hatred and revenge. A mindset which can only cause pain, suffering, destruction and tears. The flowing water is also a symbol of our tears. Tears at so much devastation and ruin, past and present. This is a place where we shed tears, we weep out of a sense of helplessness in the face of injustice, murder, and the failure to settle conflicts through dialogue. Here we mourn the wrongful and senseless loss of innocent lives because of the inability to find solutions which respect the common good. This flowing water reminds us of yesterday’s tears, but also of all the tears still being shed today”. He also recalled his meeting with some of the families of the fallen first responders, and emphasised that this “made me see once again how acts of destruction are never impersonal, abstract or merely material. They always have a face, a concrete story, names. In those family members, we see the face of pain, a pain which still touches us and cries out to heaven”. However, he added, “those family members showed me the other face of this attack, the other face of their grief: the power of love and remembrance. A remembrance that does not leave us empty and withdrawn. The name of so many loved ones are written around the towers’ footprints. We can see them, we can touch them, and we can never forget them”. Remembering the firefighters who, on 11 September entered the crumbling towers shortly before they fell, without considering the risk to their own lives, he spoke about “the palpable sense of the heroic goodness which people are capable of, those hidden reserves of strength from which we can draw”. He added, “This place of death became a place of life too, a place of saved lives, a hymn to the triumph of life over the prophets of destruction and death, to goodness over evil, to reconciliation and unity over hatred and division”. “It is a source of great hope that in this place of sorrow and remembrance I can join with leaders representing the many religious traditions which enrich the life of this great city. I trust that our presence together will be a powerful sign of our shared desire to be a force for reconciliation, peace and justice in this community and throughout the world. For all our differences and disagreements, we can live in a world of peace. In opposing every attempt to create a rigid uniformity, we can and must build unity on the basis of our diversity of languages, cultures and religions, and lift our voices against everything which would stand in the way of such unity. Together we are called to say 'no' to every attempt to impose uniformity and 'yes' to a diversity accepted and reconciled”. Francis invited all those present to pray in silence for peace: “Peace in our homes, our families, our schools and our communities. Peace in all those places where war never seems to end. Peace for those faces which have known nothing but pain”. “In this way”, he concluded, “the lives of our dear ones will not be lives which will one day be forgotten. Instead, they will be present whenever we strive to be prophets not of tearing down but of building up, prophets of reconciliation, prophets of peace”.

Children's Choir Touches Hearts During Papal Visit

Let there be peace on Earth!! On the occasion of Pope Francis apostolic visit to the United States, Sep 25, 2015. The Holy Father preside in the inter religious meeting at the Ground Zero in New York City. Performed by The Young People's Chorus of New York City, Video courtesy of Radio Vaticana - Vatican Television Center.

In Weird Rant Matthews Calls DC 'Little City Of Humble Pretensions'

During the Pope's visit to the nation's capital MSNBC's Chris Matthews went on a weird rant (in which he even managed to weave in the Kennedys) about Washington and adds (of Americans) "we're not a bunch of crazy capitalists who don't care about the underdog."
Then, in another bizarre twist, the newly-returned (and formerly exiled) Brian Williams goes on to praise Matthews while talking about eating cheesesteaks in Philly.
Truly strange!

Francis Addresses US Homeless - Video Highlights

Pope At Ground Zero - Highlights Of Remarks - Video

Highlights Of Pope's Remarks To Congress - Video

Pope Francis Blesses DC Crowd - Video

Dramatic Waterfront Development To Reinvent Camden!

Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd, business and community leaders were yesterday joined by Governor Christie as they announced that Liberty Property Trust will lead development of “The Camden Waterfront,” a new approximately $1 billion development that will redefine the Camden Waterfront by creating as much as 1.7 million square feet of office space and include a hotel, retail and a residential component.

The development would be the largest private sector investment in Camden’s history, creating thousands of construction jobs and bringing thousands of permanent jobs to the City. Camden Mayor Dana Redd was joined at the 3:00 PM announcement at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Bill Hankowsky, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Property Trust, renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern, and Richard T. Smith, President of the NAACP New Jersey State Conference.

“’The Camden Waterfront’ represents a unique opportunity to develop a project of this scale in the center of a major metropolitan area. This visionary project will reshape the central waterfront in a way that will be truly transformative for Camden,” said Bill Hankowsky. “Through the Grow NJ program, the state of New Jersey has created an economic development program which, if approved, has the potential to be truly transformative to the city of Camden. It will create a sustainable, high performance environment that could not only ensure the future of the city but also enhance the competitiveness of the entire Philadelphia region.” 

Liberty has signed an agreement with Steiner + Associates to purchase Camden Town Center LLC, with the intent to pursue the development of 16 acres of Camden waterfront. If approved by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the purchase of Camden Town Center LLC would confer upon Liberty the exclusive right to acquire and obtain approvals for development of the site. Subject to satisfactory completion of a due diligence process, which is expected to last approximately six months, Liberty would complete the purchase of the entity. 

Liberty could break ground as early as the third quarter of 2016 with occupancy expected in late 2018 and 2019. Robert A.M. Stern, Founder and Senior Partner of Robert A.M. Stern Architects and Dean of the Yale School of Architecture, noted that "The migration of American cities away from centers of manufacturing has posed a challenge few communities have been successful in meeting," said Robert A.M. Stern. "Now here in Camden we are presented with an opportunity to make this city vibrant and viable once again. We are very excited about this chance to collaborate with long-time client Liberty Property Trust, a developer that has shown the tenacity and creativity these opportunities require, to further transform Camden's waterfront as a public place with a rich mix of new uses that will re-connect the downtown to the riverfront and also capitalize on public investments that have already been realized." 

Liberty envisions a mixed-use development that will attract major corporations, employment and significant inward investment. Liberty and Robert A.M. Stern Architects have created a master plan for the development. Liberty anticipates the office component of the development will consist of build-to-suit projects for corporations seeking to grow their businesses in this environment and attract their future workforce while taking advantage of the economic benefits offered through the Grow New Jersey program. 

In his remarks, Hankowsky added: “We have worked with a group of successful local business leaders over the last several months to shape this project and they will be investing in the various project components as the final plans take shape. Their belief in Camden and their support will help ensure the successful execution of this major development.” 

The local leaders who have committed to investing in the project either personally or through their firms are: 

 George E. Norcross, III, Executive Chairman, Conner Strong & Buckelew www.connerstrong.com  John O’Donnell, President, The Michael’s Organization www.michaelsorg.com 

 Sidney Brown, Chief Executive Officer, NFI, and his family www.nfiindustries.com 

 Christopher R. Gibson, Esq., President, Archer & Greiner, P.C. www.archerlaw.com 

“Today’s announcement is proof that what Camden’s been doing is working,” said Governor Christie, who has made revitalizing Camden a priority of his administration. “From improving public safety to revolutionizing how children are educated to utilizing innovative policies to bring good new private sector jobs to the city, there is no question that Camden today is better off because of the bipartisan efforts of state and local leaders acting together over the last five years. By focusing on results, Camden’s best days are ahead.” 

In just the past five years, Camden has seen a tremendous amount of investment and rehabilitation, including, but not limited to: 

 Dramatically improved public safety: In 2012, the City of Camden police force was eliminated, replacing it with a county wide force that is today both significantly larger and more efficient. The results have been dramatic, with violent crime down across the board and a new relationship between police and the community.

 Reducing poverty: According to freshly released Census statistics, poverty dropped dramatically in 2014, falling from 42.6 percent in 2013 to 36.5 percent in 2014. 

 Rethinking and rebuilding Camden schools: In 2012, Camden was given the ability to do something unprecedented: rethink from the ground up how it educates its children. The “Urban Hope Act” was a pilot program that allowed the Camden school district to close failing schools and open 15 new renaissance neighborhood schools. 

The new schools are opening already, with KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy opening an all new $45 million, 1,000 student K-8 building earlier this month. Mastery School of Camden and Uncommon Schools are also in the process of opening schools, with a new Mastery School scheduled to begin construction. 

 Creation of the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper: In October 2013, MD Anderson brought its internationally renowned cancer care to a new, state-of- the-art, $100 million, four-story, 103,050 sq. ft. comprehensive cancer center at Cooper University Healthcare. 

 Establishment of the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU): Opening to students in 2012, the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University is already distinguishing itself as an innovative leader in medical education and research. The school, which is the first new medical school in the area in over 30 years, will graduate its first class in 2016. 

 Rutgers University expansion and Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Joint Health Sciences Board: Rutgers University is expanding in Camden, adding a recently completed $55 million student dormitory and a soon to be constructed $62.5 million nursing school. In addition, the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors Health Sciences Campus is constructing a $76 million building in downtown Camden to house collaborative programs in the health sciences from both universities. 

 Demolition of unsafe and vacant structures: The City of Camden is in the midst of demolishing approximately 600 vacant and unsafe structures that scar neighborhoods and serve as havens for illegal activity. These sites will help spur new development across the city. 

Last year Camden was awarded its first credit worthy bond rating in 15 years and, in April, Camden was named a federal “Promise Zone,” which helps high-poverty areas compete for federal aid and boost economic activity, reduce violent crime and upgrade standards of living for city residents. 

Earlier this month, the Census Bureau reported a sharp and striking drop in poverty in the city. 

In May of this year, President Obama traveled to Camden to highlight its dramatic efforts to turn around and the success it is having reducing crime and building trust between residents and police. The President stated, "Just a few years ago, this city was written off as dangerous beyond redemption — a city trapped in a downward spiral …. Camden and its people still face some very big challenges. But this city is on to something. You've made real progress in just two years. And that's why I'm here today — because I want to focus on the fact that other cities across America can make similar progress." 

Not including today’s announcement, there is more than $1.5 billion in new development that is either funded, in development or recently completed in Camden. In addition to Campbell’s continued investments, there is the upcoming location of Subaru’s American headquarters in an all-new development, the Philadelphia 76ers relocation of its headquarters and practice facility to Camden, the newly opened MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, and the more than $250 million Holtec International is investing in its new headquarters. 

"In the words of our President when he visited Camden in the spring, ‘change does not happen overnight,’ but I am inspired to see a city turning around before our eyes and it's all due to an unprecedented cooperation between the state, local government and committed community leaders." said Richard T. Smith, the President of the NAACP New Jersey State Conference. 

"It took more than commitment though, it required rethinking what Camden could be - it can be a great city - again, a safe city where children go to good schools, live in vibrant communities and parents are able to support their families at good jobs. The NAACP looks forward to being an active partner helping make sure that Camden continues to improve and build a strong city for every resident." 

Liberty is committed to working closely with community groups, the Mayor’s office, and government organizations to provide, to the fullest extent possible, employment opportunities for Camden residents during development of the project. In addition, the firms coming to Camden will work with the Department of Labor and the Mayor’s office to develop job training programs. The training program will be focused on jobs for businesses that will locate in this new development – office and technology, sales, restaurant, retail and hotel services. 

“With this announcement and the critical mass of development that has been reached, what’s been going on in Camden can no longer be looked at in isolation, but rather as a plan that will fundamentally change the city’s future,” said Mayor Redd. “While it might have been hard to see the vision of Camden and Trenton leaders when these programs first began, it is inescapable that Camden has, for the first time in generations, a brighter future. Camden’s really coming together.”