The pope came to Philadelphia. A full assortment of feelings were expressed by the Philadelphians I spoke with–a few were delighted, most were inconvenienced. A friend of mine, closer to the gathering on the Parkway, said her block socialized the whole weekend, taking advantage of the car-less streets. In my neck of the woods, across town from the devout, it was near total silence, with the exception of helicopters overhead. While I envied the faithful the comforts of faith, I treasured the contemplative silence in the city, making room for reflection and rest, the pope’s gift to me.
One deserted neighborhood street.