Pope Leaves Philadelphia, Life Returns (Almost) to Normal

Pope Francis was lovingly embraced by massive crowds in Philadelphia.

It was a phenomenal weekend in Philadelphia. After months of hype and preparation, the pope showed up in the city. He visited nuns and prisoners, he kissed babies, he held two masses, and he inspired countless thousands who came out to hear his messages of love and acceptance. The crowds lit up when he passed in his open car, and people cried, cheered, and reached their arms out for his blessing. Now the pontiff is safely back on his flight to Rome, and the city is left with post-event analysis… and one heck of a mess to clean up!

The Benjamin Franklin Bridge opened at 2 a.m., about two hours earlier than originally estimated. Both directions of the Schuylkill and Vine Street Expressways opened between 11:30 p.m. and 4 a.m. Right now, all the traffic boxes that choked traffic downtown have been lifted. The only thoroughfare remaining closed is the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, which is still being cleaned up from the immense papal mass celebrated there yesterday afternoon.

As of right now it remains to be seen just how many people attended the mass. Early predictions had as many as one million people showing up (or even more!), but it’s not yet known whether those predictions bore out. There are indications that the pope’s visit might not have been as much of an earth-shaker as everyone guessed. Hotel rooms went unbooked over the weekend, train passes made specially for the weekend went unsold, and many of the blocked-off streets were empty for a large part of the weekend.