Signed by Pope Francis, record-breaking mural dedicated in North Philly [photos]

A record breaking mural commemorating the 2015 World Meeting of Families and the visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia was dedicated Monday morning. The mural, titled “The Sacred Now: Faith and Family in the 21st Century” is poised to receive the Guinness World Record for “Most Contributions to a Painting by Numbers.”

More than 2,700 people participated during community paint days over the summer and Pope Francis signed the mural during his visit in September. It is installed at 1012 W. Thompson Street in North Philadelphia at the future Saint Malachy School which will open in 2016.

The mural’s designer Cesar Viveros joined Mayor Michael Nutter, who thanked the teachers and leader of Catholic schools in the city, as well as the community painters and sponsors involved in the mural’s creation. Philadelphia Bishop John McIntyre blessed the mural.

“Thousands of people will be able to come to this wall and say, ‘I did this,'” said Mural Arts Executive director Jane Golden. She reflected on the profound affect of this mural and many in the lives of Philadelphians.

“It’s so satisfying to see how the theme of the World Meeting of Families, ‘Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive’ is embodied in the mural,” said World Meeting of Families Executive Director Donna Crilley Farrell. She adds it’s hard to believe the meeting is two months past, and that she is still trying to process the event.