Pope Francis U.S. visit to include Chicago delegation
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Pope Francis will arrive in Washington, DC, for his first visit to the United States this week and some excited Chicagoans are heading east to be a part of the trip.
At a sunny Saturday earlier this month at the suburban Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine, Chicagoans who are heading to Philadelphia for Pope Francis' visit make final trip preparations.
"It's a wonderful opportunity, we're so excited, and more than anything we're so blessed to be a part of it," said Marlon Bacheco.
This is the delegation chosen to represent the Chicago Archdiocese at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.
"Just to be able to go and see the community of people that are coming together from across the world for this event to learn about each other and to learn how to be better committed to our families, I think it's phenomenal, not to mention to be able to see the pope," Jennifer Reid said.
VIDEO: ABC7's Alan Krashesky previews Pope Francis' U.S. visit
Before Pope Francis gets to Philadelphia he has a busy trip planned.
First he lands in Washington DC, where he'll meet with President Obama, become the first pope to address a joint meeting of congress and canonize Junipero Serra, a missionary priest from California whose personal cross Archbishop Blase Cupich recently presented to the pope at the Vatican.
"The Holy Father took it in his hand, looked at it very intently and then kissed it and put it back into the box that I had so that's our small contribution to what we've done," Archbishop Cupich said.
MORE: Pope Francis schedule of events
"I think this is going to be one of the most significant visits in his pontificate and could be very important for the U.S.," said Austen Ivereigh, Pope Francis biographer.
An importance expected to be demonstrated through the pope's gestures highlighting his priorities, like immigration and help for those on the margins of society.
"This is why Pope Francis is causing people to look again at the papacy and the Catholic Church," Ivereigh said. "People are like, 'I'm not sure about the Catholic Church, don't know if I agree with that, but i love Francis.'"
Archbishop Cupich originally planned to be in Washington, DC, but will not make the trip because of a private family matter.
Stay with ABC7 Eyewitness News for continuing coverage of Pope Francis' visit to the United States. Alan Krashesky and Tanja Babich will be reporting live from all three cities starting Monday on ABC7 News at 4 p.m.
