Philly Catholics mourn Pope Francis | Morning Newsletter
🏠 And the business of hauling junk.
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In the Philadelphia area, where more than a quarter of the population identifies as Catholic, Monday was a day of mourning following news of Pope Francis’ death. Read on for recollections of the 2015 visit of a pontiff who believers say “was for the people.”
And emptying a house can be emotional and overwhelming work. Below, find the story on how local junk haulers find new homes for former treasures.
— Julie Zeglen ([email protected])
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Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, died early Monday at 88, just hours after his last public appearance on Easter Sunday in Vatican City.
Philadelphia remembers: This area is home to one of the United States’ largest Catholic populations. Mourners took to local churches to pray while public figures reminisced on the pope’s legacy, including his 2015 visit to the city, where he said Mass for 800,000 people on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
The papal party: Francis brought a world of joy — and minor hysteria — when he stopped in Philly 10 years ago, as columnist Stephanie Farr writes. The event brought her “faith in Philadelphians’ ability to rise to any occasion, and faith that a humble leader has the ability to bring joy and hope to people — and to an entire city — if he so chooses."
A holy souvenir: During that same visit to the U.S., former Philly Congressman Bob Brady snagged Francis’ drinking glass and leftover water in 2015. He fondly recalls the pontiff’s response.
Considering a legacy: A Bryn Mawr College professor and adjunct scholar at the Vatican Observatory opines on how Francis’ approach to science and faith emphasized humans’ duty to wield both with care. And The Inquirer’s editorial board writes that at a time of increasing division, the Catholic leader’s death silences a lonely voice for compassion.
What you should know today
Nearly a week after an arsonist set fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion, President Donald Trump called Gov. Josh Shapiro to share his “warm regards,” Shapiro said Monday.
Amputations are spiking amid Philly’s tranq crisis. It’s a mark of the slow public health response to the latest threat in the drug epidemic. Plus, here’s how a doctor’s persistence helped one man survive, and how we measured xylazine’s toll in Philadelphia.
A Chester County man was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his wife and daughter last year.
A Philly-based medical helpline told a worker to treat a diabetic ulcer with first aid. He won millions in a lawsuit after his foot was amputated.
Pennsylvania Republican incumbent congressional lawmakers have dominated fundraising in the first quarter of 2025, likely preparing to protect the House majority in the 2026 midterms.
Pennsylvania wants to hire federal workers. Now, the state also has a partial hiring freeze amid federal funding cuts.
Crozer Health’s owner, Prospect Medical Holdings, filed a bankruptcy notice Monday saying it is closing its two Delaware County hospitals.
Students journalists at local colleges are grappling with requests to delete old stories as their peers and alums fear federal retaliation for views shared.
Junk hauling is big business in Philadelphia, with customers including homeowners who are downsizing and those tasked with cleaning out family members’ homes.
🏠 In turn, for those clients, the service can bring relief to what can be a “really, really overwhelming” situation, as one put it after hiring pros to tackle his parents’ Center City condo.
🏠 Hired haulers can recycle, donate, or responsibly (and legally) dispose of a lifetime of belongings — clothes, appliances, furniture, decorations, electronics, and much more.
🏠 But how do you know if a junk remover is legit?
In other housing news: Mayor Cherelle L. Parker revealed the specifics of her $800 million housing policy Monday, detailing how she hopes to spend money raised by city bonds to build or repair 30,000 homes.
🧠 Trivia time
Mike Hauke, the Atlantic City restaurateur best known for Tony Boloney’s over-the-top pizzas and subs, took his latest Jersey-born creation to Shark Tank — and walked away with a deal. What is the focus of his new brand?
A) Hot sauce
B) Cotton candy
C) Mozzarella sticks
D) Baloney
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🎙️ Listening to: The first episode of the new podcast MOVE: Untangling the Tragedy.
🍧 Anticipating: The first Jersey Shore store for John’s Water Ice.
🏃 Feeling: Prepared for the 2025 Broad Street Run with these need-to-know details.
😬 Glad to see: Eagles star A.J. Brown got his stolen car back.
🖼️ Considering: How federal cuts to the humanities impacts nonprofits, communities, and local economies.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Hub for tourist info, and for the past few months, theater tickets
CONTRIVE INTERDEPENDENCIES
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Robert Budsock, who solved Monday’s anagram: South Jersey. The area has quietly become the U.S. capital of “patterned brick” architecture. Historians say preservation of the distinctive blocks is needed.
Photo of the day
🚌 One last lost thing: Alas, the old Eagles bus atop the former Paintarama at Torresdale Avenue and Brill Street is gone after the building’s sale. Take a peek into the past as sports reporter Matt Breen recounts the story of “The Liberty Bell of Northeast Philly.”
And on the subject of the past, with the news of Pope Francis’ death, I recalled my own experience as an early-career reporter covering his 2015 visit. One standout story came by way of a five-mile walking pilgrimage from Port Richmond to the Parkway with a rambunctious crew of St. Adalbert parishioners. Responding to a passerby who asked if they were Catholics, one shouted cheerfully: “Hi — we are sinners!" Too funny. Not even their fallible humanity could dim their excitement.
Wishing you a memorable day. Thanks for starting it with The Inquirer.
Correction: Today’s newsletter included a story about a lawsuit that originally misstated the total amount owed by the defendant. That story has been updated.
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