10 years ago, Philadelphia made history.
The global spotlight shone on our city as Pope Francis made his first, and only, visit to America. He was attending the international World Meeting of Families, a global celebration of faith, family and unity that selected Philadelphia as its first, and only, American host.
It could have been a niche religious event. Instead, Philadelphians of every background, faith and political party joined together to welcome the nations to our world-class city. It took all of us — business leaders, EMS workers, military members, politicians and everyday residents — to make the four-day event not just a reality, but a historic success with record attendance.
That matters more than ever today. In our highly-polarized world, it’s especially important to step back and remember what we are capable of when we come together as neighbors, Philadelphians and Americans.
Ten years ago, one million people traveled from around the world, across the country and along SEPTA’s regional rail lines to fill the Parkway for the Pope’s mass. Newspapers throughout America celebrated the event with 84 front pages featuring Philadelphia.
We showed the world that we belong on an international stage, and that we are people who can set aside our differences and work together to create something extraordinary for everyone.
And we’ll do that again in 2026, when we have the privilege of once again inviting the world and all of America to our city to enjoy prestigious events like the FIFA World Cup™ and the flagship celebration of our country’s 250th birthday.
Events like the World Meeting of Families and the World Cup aren’t spectacle. They can be a spark of hope and camaraderie in a divisive world, inviting us to remember our shared pride and the things that bring us together: The sports we enjoy. The history we share. The city in which we live. The moments that touch our hearts.
I’ll never forget that when Pope Francis touched down in Philadelphia, he waved to the crowd that had gathered in the early morning hours to witness his arrival. The Bishop Shanahan High School Band was playing to welcome him, and he walked off the plane and into his motorcade according to plan.
The car began to drive away. Then, he asked the driver to stop.
One of the people lined up on the tarmac was a young boy with cerebral palsy — the band leader’s son. Pope Francis got out of his small Fiat and walked over to greet the family and bless the boy in the wheelchair. Then he went back to the car and drove away.
The unexpected moment captured America’s hearts — and certainly left all of us who were there with a tear in our eyes. It was a quiet kindness that demonstrated the best of humanity, and those in attendance shared hundreds of similarly beautiful moments throughout the events.
10 years ago, our city brought people together. With four days in the international spotlight, we showed the world who we are and what we are capable of.
Next year, we’ll have even more days in center stage as people travel from all over to celebrate the FIFA World Cup 26, NCAA March Madness, the MLB All-Star Game, the PGA Championship, and America’s birthday.
They’ll see what we already know: That Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a life, give wings to an idea, make a career and bring people together.
Now, as then, each of us has an invaluable role to play.
Some are wondering if we really can pull it off again. A global event takes an incredible amount of planning, foresight, collaboration, sponsorship and creativity.
But I’m here to remind us all: We can, and we will. Philadelphia has hosted historic events before — from the birth of our democracy to the 1926 World’s Fair — and we made history 10 years ago, too. I’m confident we’ll do it again next year.
And I wonder – what will we remember, 10 years from now? The scoreboards and ceremonies? Or perhaps the kindness of strangers, the pride in our neighbors’ voices, and the feeling that we live somewhere truly special?
Let’s give ourselves that gift once more.
Brian Tierney is CEO of Brian Communications, former publisher of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, and led strategic communications for the 2015 World Meeting of Families.