'Bridge Pilgrims' cross the Ben Franklin to see pope

CAMDEN, N.J. — It started off as dribbles of people crossing the Ben Franklin Bridge on Saturday morning, then grew as the day wore on.

The “Bridge Pilgrims” were a determined group making the trek across the bridge, which is closed to vehicular traffic for Pope Francis’ visit through Monday afternoon.

Francis is in Philadelphia this weekend, attending various events as part of the World Meeting of Families.

On the bridge, there were fathers with children in strollers, youngsters being pulled in wagons, people running, groups of teenagers, young families, older women, and church groups from Newark, Boston and beyond.

It was a celebratory atmosphere for one huge contingent from Newark, six bus loads, singing, playing music and offering praises at the base of the bridge before they made the walk.

The Delaware River Port Authority estimated that by late afternoon Saturday about 1,000 pedestrians had crossed the bridge.

Despite having to walk miles in some cases, they couldn’t pass up the chance.

Each had a story to share.

Honoring their father

Pat DiPietro, 69, and her sister Cathy Sheehan, 72, of Haddon Township, both came back to the area three years ago and moved in together after losing their husbands.

They were more than happy to make the pilgrimage by foot.

The weather was perfect. A bit cloudy and in the 70s. Good walking weather for two determined women.

“The reason we’re doing this is our father (George Hallowell) would’ve been 100 years old this year and on the opening day of the bridge in 1926, he and his entire family walked over when it opened and back, so we’re walking over the bridge today in his memory,” Sheehan said.

While they were honoring their father, who died about eight years ago, the end goal was to see Pope Francis.

Saturday, they parked at the Camden Aquarium and hoofed it to the bridge.

“We walked a mile before we even got to the bridge,” DiPietro said with a smile.

“The Red Cross gave us water. It’s a wonderful day. And we’re hoping we get a glimpse of the pope. We’re looking forward to it.”

Pray for Camden

Asked what she would ask the pope if she got the chance to meet him, Camden resident Lorsley Boogaard, biking across with husband Mark, said, "The one thing I ask of the pope is please pray for Camden.”

She said her husband is a regular biker, and she figured she would give pedaling across the bridge a try.

“The pope is bringing a lot of energy into the city and I’m hoping, which I’m sure we will, be able to absorb some of that energy and it’s all positive. We’re going to bring some of that good, positive energy that the pope is bringing to Philadelphia, we’re going to bring it back to Camden.”

Taking selfies

Michelle Ma and her daughter Julia of Delran took the light rail to Pennsauken, then to the Walter Rand Transportation Station on Broadway and walked from there to the base of the bridge.

In addition to hearing from the pope, it was a day to spend time with each other, take selfies and make new memories.

“We are interested in hearing what the pope has to say about immigration issues, and we’re very excited to see the pope,” Ma said.

“I’m willing to do the walk. It seemed easier than to try to get in through trains so we’re walking over the Ben Franklin Bridge and we’re going to take some selfies along the way.”

Julia, 16, was happy to spend the day with mom.

“I had to get up pretty early today to go see the pope but I’m excited to hear what he has to say about all of the issues,” she said. “I’m pretty interested in politics and world issues that are going on. Plus we’ll take some pretty cool pics.”

Praying for the pope

Deptford’s Gary Badger wasn’t planning on attending any events across the river but was walking the bridge as sort of a challenge to himself.

“I’m here to walk over the bridge and back because I’m 65 and I just want to see if I can make it over the bridge,” he said. “I’m taking advantage of this.”

But Badger did plan on offering up some prayers for Pope Francis.

“The pope asked everybody to pray for him and we go to a Baptist church in South Jersey,” he said. “Naturally we’re going to pray for the pope, pray for his safety, his family.”

Taking it personal

Howard Terry, a longtime South Jersey resident who lived in Franklinville, now resides part of the time in West Virginia with extended family.

“We just decided a few days ago that just listening to the lead up of the event and listening to this pope, we just felt moved to come here,” Terry said. “Part of his statement, he said, 'Are you ready for Philadelphia? I will be in Philadelphia because you will be there.' We sort of took it personally. So here we are.”

Terry was there with three family members, including Lucas Tatham and Tatham’s young sons, Trey and Jacob. They were all walking the bridge.

Last-minute decision

Agnes Chatman, 61, lives in Camden near the base of the bridge.

She and a friend were making their way across in the afternoon after deciding that morning to go.

“There were some comments on the news about how tired he looked and everything, but I recall him stating that he’s been called to do this,” she said. “The only person that could’ve called him to do this was God. That did it for me. That’s it.

“I believe he is God-sent and that God has sent him here for a reason and I want to go see him if I can. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and if the Lord called him here for a reason, I’d like to see what he called him here for.”