Delaware pitches in for Pope Francis visit

Delaware volunteers help prepare for a historical papal visit to Philadelphia.

The World Meeting of Families is the organization that helped bring Pope Francis to Philadelphia. The visit will coincide with the 8th World Meeting of Families Congress.

More than 750,000 people are expected to make their way to Philadelphia to see the pope.

With events scheduled for Sept. 26 and 27 at Independence Mall and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the WMOF has coordinated an army of volunteers to help visitors get around the city with ease.

Mary Catherine McTaggart and Margie Plasmier are among the more than 10,000 volunteers who have signed up to assist visitors with everything from directions to event locations to finding the bathrooms. The North Wilmington women are excited to see Pope Francis.

“We wanted to be a part of something so special that we know may never happen probably never again in our lifetime” said Plasmier.

The women said the WMOF volunteer organization has made sure they have everything they’ll need to help visitors, “We’re getting a t-shirt, and a baseball cap, a backpack, a lanyard, a poncho, I guess if it’s going to rain, snacks and some wrist bands, which will be in our packet that we’ll pick up.”

Chuck Wagner, also from Wilmington, said he jumped at the opportunity to volunteer because he admires Pope Francis. “I think he’s a dynamic pope and I think he’s a great leader and I think he still has done a lot already, but still has a lot more work to do,” said Wagner.

It’s the pope’s penchant to tackle taboo topics like global warming that has his approval rating taking a slight dive among Americans. According to a recent Gallup poll, it’s fallen to 59 percent. That’s a 17 percent drop from 76 percent last year.

Whether or not you approve of this pope, one thing is certain. He’s making an impact. “He knows that changes need to be made and that’s what I really like about him, ” said McTaggart.