A Jesuit Bastion in the City of Brotherly Love Welcomes Pope Francis

Bryan Carter runs the Jesuit Gesu School in Philadelphia (students from there will be performing a Tango for the pope this weekend). (I’ve met Carter over the course of the last year through my work with Catholic Voices USA, which he is a volunteer with for the World Meeting of Families.)

Q: Are you looking forward to the pope in the U.S? Why?

A: I can’t wait for Pope Francis to visit the U.S. and, in particular, Philadelphia. Pope Francis provides a positive impact on any community with his message and presence. In Philadelphia, we will have the opportunity to be with Pope Francis and hear his message on many important topics including addressing poverty.

Q: What is it about Pope Francis that seems to get people excited? Nervous, too!

A: Well, I am the president of Gesu School, an independent Catholic elementary school in North Philadelphia where for the last 10 years we have had a ballroom dancing program for our children in the 7th and 8th grades. The children (forty-four 8th grade students) were invited by the World Meeting of Families to be a part of the Festival of Families on Saturday and will perform the tango (Pope Francis’ favorite dance) and the swing. I am both excited and nervous. However, the children will shine in this once-in-a-lifetime, memorable experience.

Q: Why is the World Meeting of Families aspect of it so important to you?

A: I am a parent (my wife and I have an 8 year old daughter) and I believe in the benefits of a strong family unit, in particular, as it relates to the development of children. Obviously, the family plays a critical role in developing the whole child (academically, spiritually, character, self-esteem, etc.). Families have different characteristics; for example, we are adoptive parents with our daughter having been placed with us when she was 5 days old. My five brothers and I were raised by our mother and always felt the love of a strong family unit growing up – and still today. Whatever the make-up of the family unit, as the theme of the World Meeting of Families theme notes, “Love is our mission. The family fully alive.” Philadelphia is the birthplace of our country and the World Meeting of Families conference, with Philadelphia as the stage, will drive a rebirth of the family.

Q: What would you love for him to know about life in Catholic Philadelphia? What would you want others, perhaps who aren’t Catholic or who have left the Church to know?

A: I find the Catholic community in Philadelphia to be committed to issues of social justice (poverty, education, concern for children, etc.). Pope Francis is leading a movement of embracing all people.

Q: Do you plan to see him?

A: I will attend the Mass on the Parkway. I hope Pope Francis has an opportunity to see the Gesu School children perform the tango on Saturday during the Festival of Families.

Q: What’s your prayer for him?

A: My prayer for Pope Francis is that he continue, in good health, to deliver messages encouraging each individual to lead a life that is pleasing to God. Essentially, how we treat one another — and all of creation — matters.