Massive crowds gathered on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia Sunday for a mass led by Pope Francis.
The service was the final stop of the pope's six-day visit to the United States. He was scheduled to return to the Vatican following the event.
More than 1.5 million people were expected at the mass, and members of the crowd lined up for hours before the 4 p.m. service for screening by the Transportation Security Administration and other authorities.
During the homily, delivered in Spanish, the pope focused on the meaning of cultivating faith in families. Here are some excerpts:
• "For Jesus, the truly intolerable scandal (is) everything that breaks down & destroys our trust in the working of the spirit."
• "Our families, our homes, are true domestic churches."
• "Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs which make us feel at home."
• "Our common house can no longer tolerate sterile divisions."
• The urgent challenge of protecting our home includes the effort to bring the entire human family together."
• May our children find in us models of communion, not division."
• "What kind of world do we want to leave to our children?"
Earlier in the day, Francis spoke to prisoners at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. He also met with victims of church sex abuse and prayed with them.
The mass drew people from around the country.
The Pena family from Houston, Tx. stayed in Upper Darby, walked 8 miles to parkway, waited hours, now watching on tv.
Shortly before the service began, hundreds remained in line hoping to clear security checkpoints.
Many people – some with tickets to the event – gave up hope and left the lines, Philly.com reported.