Philadelphia awaits Pope Francis’ visit

Members of the Papal Mass Choir rehearse. The choir will perform at Philadelphia’s Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul during Pope Francis’ visit.

A welcoming banner for the pope’s visit hangs outside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.

Evaristo Fontanez of Atco, N.J., prays before taking part in Papal Mass Choir rehearsal at the basilica. He was chosen as one of 500 singers in the special choir. “I’ll be singing for Christ during the papal Mass,” said Fontanez.

Students hang out after class at the high school adjoining Our Lady of Hope church in north Philadelphia.

Sister Gertrude Borres lights a candle before evening prayers at her convent. She will attend several events related to Pope Francis’ Philadelphia visit.

Sol Quiroga of Uruguay ties a ribbon on an art instillation at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.

Our Lady of Hope church, where Francis will visit, is in a once-affluent north Philadelphia neighborhood that has taken a downturn.

Students gather after school on Broad Street in north Philadelphia, in the neighborhood surrounding Our Lady of Hope.