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Celebration of Festival of Families with Pope Francis to America; 8-9p ET
Aired September 26, 2015 - 20:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[20:01:49] POPPY HARLOW, CNN HOST: Welcome back to our continuing live coverage here of the Pope's trip to the United States. Welcoming our viewers in the United States and around the world. It is just past 8:00 in the evening and what a beautiful evening it is. I'm Poppy Harlow here with Chris Cuomo as we listen to the first of six families who spoke in front of Pope Francis.
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN HOST: I'm pretty sure you were about to call yourself Poppy Harlow. Is that true?
HARLOW: Or Chris Cuomo.
(CROSSTALK)
HARLOW: Before the break, we just heard a very touching remarks from this couple, from Australian engaged couple about to get married, talking directly to the pontiff about their concerns, their fears. And it's interesting, when you've heard this Pope talk about annulment, and you see the fact that this 28 percent of Catholic marriages do end in divorce in this country, this Pope has said that the church should take special care to embrace divorced Catholics saying, quote, "no closed doors." How has he changed the messaging here?
BRUCE FEILER, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, for as long as humans have been human, we have wondered about big questions and so many of the big questions have to do with the relationship between the sexes. So whether it's bearing children or getting married and, you know, right down to the issue of women in the church and abortion, all of these issues, what we've struggled with, then they are still at the heart of most of the struggles in the church today.
And I think that the challenge the church has is to figure out how to talk to women in particular because we know that women are more engaged in these issues. They go to church more. And more to the point, they are responsible of passing this on to their children. So you talk about why we are doing this, Chris, there's the obvious reasons that we've been discussing. The subtext is, people are not going to church and they are probably not going to go back. If the church is going to continue, it has to live at the kitchen table.
CUOMO: The irony here is that this message from Francis is certainly resonating with believers and not believers alike. It may stick with nonbelievers. That's a bit of a more open question with believers, specifically clergy.
To you, Father Beck, a lot of what Francis is telling people to do, bishops, parishes, diocese, have not been doing the spirit of include first. Many of them are exclude first. Focus on the rules. You don't follow the rules, you're out. That's been a big effect for a lot of people. Give me a quick answer and let's listen to the fray.
FR. EDWARD BECK, CNN VATICAN COMMENTATOR: Well, I think that it's going to take some time. I think it's a ripple effect. Parishes are slowly changing and included in this message. They are baptizing children no matter what the station of that family now. They are inviting gay people even to be part of their congregations.
CUOMO: This is the Fray with a song that fits beautifully for the show, "how to save a life?"
Very important to mention, it's the Fray and they are going to be accompanied by the deaf singing choir. So let's listen to them with the Deaf Apostolic singing choir.
(GROUP PERFORMING)
[20:09:59] HARLOW: There you have it. Grammy-nominated rock band The Fray performing "how to save a life." What a song, what a night. Accompanied there you saw and all those blue shirts by the deaf apostolic singing choir.
We are going to take a quick break. More live coverage from Philadelphia and the Pope's visit when we return.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[20:12:56] CUOMO: Mark Wahlberg is part of the master of ceremonies here. He's introducing six different families who have six different aspects of faith in their life. Next is coming, former Philadelphia Eagles running back Herb Lusk. He's going to read from the Gospel of Luke.
MARK WAHLBERG, ACTOR: He's committing himself to those being affected by poverty. Now herb will be reading from Luke 15 to share with us the story of the prodigal sun. Go eagles.
HERB LUSK, FORMER PHILADELPHIA EAGLES PLAYER: My brothers and sisters in the Lord, listen to the words of the holy gospel according to St. John. And he said, a man had two sons. The younger son said to his father's father, give me my share of your estate. That it should come to me. So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all of his belongings and set off for a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he loaned to eat his food from the paths on which the swine did feed and no one gave him a thing. Coming to his senses, he thought, how many of my father's workers have
more than enough food to eat but here am I dying for hunger. I will get up and go to my father and I will say to my father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son. But the father ordered his servants, quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the calf and slaughter it. Then, let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and has come to life again. He was lost and has been found. Then, the celebration began.
(APPLAUSE)
[20:16:50] WAHLBERG: Our second family, Lesya and her son, (INAUDIBLE) are from (INAUDIBLE), Ukraine. Lesya has a lot to share about the joys and struggles of raising children in various contexts and of differing ability levels. Please welcome.
(APPLAUSE)
LESYA BORYS & SONS, FAMILY FROM UKRAINE (through translator): I'm so happy to introduce my family today. My name is Lesya.
HARLOW: All right. You're hearing now from the second family, Lesya Borys and her sons coming all the way from the Ukraine to speak to the Pope. I don't believe we have translation. If we get it, we will certainly bring it to you. But obviously, we saw the Pope today, Chris, reach out to a 10-year-old boy earlier. It was a special needs child and you see someone here as well.
CUOMO: The Pope has translations of all of these. So let's just see how he experiences this and how he reaches out to them after.
BORYS (through translator): Joyous from God through my son especially afflicted with cerebral palsy that I'm not sure where to begin. But I can say this, Borys is indeed a blessing. He has an ability to see that rather than being sick, he's happy with the challenges that he faces. His joy even in adversity fills us with happiness.
Let me give you an example. When he was receiving Botox injections to alleviate a spectrum of extremely painful muscle contractions throughout his body, he acted as a translator between me and his medical team. They were amazed at his energy and happiness to help those who were in turn helping him. Borys tries so hard to be independent that he is an inspiration for all of us. Another source of my inspiration and help in raising and understanding comes from my mother.
My father died when I was four years old. So it was through my mother that I have learned how to be strong by placing my faith in God. She would always take me to church with her to learn to trust in our lord and savior and it was her that inspired me in my own life and to be an active participant in the faith of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
In Ukraine, life was not easy especially having a handicapped son. But in spite of this, I continued to place my trust in God and pray for the grace to persevere and to be strong. We look forward to our Sunday worship in church and God continues to bless us despite economic difficulties. And later, with the transition to a new government when Ukraine became independent.
Then when we came to America with great hopes, my husband left the family. It was a struggle every day for us, emotionally and financially. So often feelings of hopelessness weighed on me. But I always remembered that God has a plan for us. Every Sunday I prayed in church and every day I prayed I read the bible, especially the psalms and took vows to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to St. Felomina for her support in helping me to raise and care for both Dan and Borys.
Then my mother came to America and that was a big help for us. I can't even describe how supportive she is. I can only be thankful to God for her. God has really blessed us in many ways. My older son (INAUDIBLE) graduated from college and now plans to be a priest. I am very proud of him.
My dear son Borys is now 17 years old and is determined as ever not to be limited by his disability. In fact, Borys strongly desires to create computer programs for children with disabilities similar to his so that they may have fun but also be challenged and not let their disabilities limit them.
In two years, Borys will finish high school. He is working very hard applying to college to learn computer coding so that he can live an independent life. It brings me much happiness and hope to help Borys and (INAUDIBLE) realize their dreams and see the blessings that god has given them.
While some people may consider Borys a burden, I certainly do not. Seeing him work so hard in school and in everything he does inspires me and watching him pray to God and be filled with the faith that my mother passed on to me fills me with indescribable joy and hope. I've already seen many people ask Borys to pray for them and this continues to uplift me. I can only say that I have nothing but positive hope for Borys' future knowing that the Holy Spirit will guide him just as he has guided us as family.
Holy Father, thank you very much for being with us today. Bless and pray for us and that all expectant parents that discover their child will be in the world's view disabled may see the joy and love ahead of them.
(APPLAUSE)
HARLOW: Quite a message there from the mother of those two young men, Lesya Borys coming all the way from the Ukraine here, closing her remarks to the pontiff that she greets him saying may other families who have a disabled child see the joy that is ahead of them despite all of the struggle.
CUOMO: Watch the enthusiasm on Francis' face, Pope Francis, as he interacts with this young man. He saves the most for those who need it most.
HARLOW: Yes, he does.
CUOMO: He's giving him the commemorative coin that is minted for the meeting on the families. That's what the Vatican puts out here as a commemorative.
(APPLAUSE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We heard the gospel of the prodigal Luke but this is the father going and search of the loss no matter how they are lost, emotionally, spiritually, physically, he just extends himself to the lost.
WAHLBERG: Her 1972 album, Amazing Grace, became the best-selling album at the time. She is the first female singer to be inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame. And in 2012, she joined the gospel hall of fame. Please welcome the legendary Aretha Franklin to the stage.
(APPLAUSE)
(ARETHA FRANKLIN PERFORMING)
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
[20:34:24] CUOMO: I believe the Pope is clapping to the beat as the queen of soul exits the stage. Aretha Franklin gave us a little quick step there before she exited. Very nice change of pace for the night. The Holy Father, you have to imagine, what is going through his mind right now, Poppy. He's never been here before expose to so much in so many different places.
WAHLBERG: Aretha Franklin.
HARLOW: Just electrifying the crowd, Aretha Franklin. I thought for a moment there the Holy Father might get up and, you know --
CUOMO: And I think it is certainly keeping him energized sitting in there. I think he's seemed to come alive when he gets to interact with the families.
[20:35:03] HARLOW: Absolutely. That's when he stands up and greets and kisses and blesses are those most in need as we saw with that child from Ukraine just a moment ago.
CUOMO: Mark swallowed the intro there as little bit so let's see who is coming up now.
Nidal Mousa and his wife Nida Joseph along with their daughters (INAUDIBLE). They are from Jordan.
NIDAL MOUSA, JORDAN: Holy Father, we have come here today in representing the continental of Asia. Jordan is a part of the Middle East that is the western area of the continents. I Nidal Mousa and with me. Nida Joseph, my wife, and our two daughters, (INAUDIBLE).
We would like to share with you our experience as a Jordanian Christian family. The best way to describe it Christian families currently living in our homeland are like candles, shining against the darkness of destructions, wars, killings and persecution. Our family tries to live as the deployed people but of the (INAUDIBLE) for others, the only true answer of this world's problems, Jesus Christ. The root of our Christian --
(APPLAUSE)
MOUSA: The root of our Christian communities dates back 2,000 years. Since then, there has been many a period of persecution as other attempts to silence the word of Jesus but always we rise together and support and love in our families, church and larger communities. And we are a minority, but we are like salt which needed only in small amount, is essential for food.
The conditions and hardships endured by recent Christian refugees who have simply come to Jordan have inspired our community together our efforts, to help better share (ph) our brothers and sisters.
These Iraqi and Syrian refugees have sacrificed everything except their faith and we realize that we have a responsibility. A special call from the Lord to be his witnesses. Every single member of our family joins in this.
Our family's parish, Immaculate Conception, is located about 25 miles from the Syrian border and there are thousands of refugees in our area. With the support of the larger Catholic Church and Caritas International, our family and church to provides services such as food, employment, clothing, shelter, medicine, financial support and after-school program for the refugee children.
My small family is just one family of many participating in this effort. My wife works in a volunteer group which share the mission of the Catholic Church to serve the poor and to promote charity and justice throughout the world. She is participating in providing dire financial support for the needy and helps establish small project to support the poor.
My two daughters consider the parish their second home. They are actively involved in youth groups that serve young people of all ages. Their activity includes conducting weekly meetings to study the bible and teachings of the church in a social setting. My youngest daughter, Dima, is a leader in the group while my eldest daughter, (INAUDIBLE), is a leader in the college group.
Our group is a very important aspect of our Christian life with approximately 400 participants. It's mainly a Christian community and the group gets our children safe harbor where they can grow in their faith and be supported and cared about. Our family is truly united in the love of Christ and we know that it is the strength of his body that animates us and gives us a very breath of life to endure and thrive in this hostile environment. We share that love with each other as much as we can. And we also share it within our family, spending time together, praying and also having fun.
Thank you, Holy Father, for your compassion for those who are struggling. Please pray for those who are struggling due to violence and war, immigration, lack of resources and endure discrimination. Please also pray for those who are minister to the healthy. May we all share each other's burden so our loads become lighter and peace and love can prevail. Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
[20:40:51] HARLOW: And now you see this family of four who came here all the way from Jordan speaking to the Pope, greeting him. I believe, Chris, he's giving them as well these --
CUOMO: The commemorative coins that they put out for the world meeting of the family. This is the Vatican's commemorative and he's also giving them some words of consolation.
HARLOW: Right.
CUOMO: Bruce Feiler, you were saying that you are seeing in these family's different faces of faith but also something that is weaving them all together dramatically as well. What is that?
FEILER: Well, one of the -- it's impressive how Pope Francis has conducted himself all week because there is this gentle face but there's grit and he's sending a clear message here. We just had this Jordanian family representing Christians persecuted across the Middle East. We have a Ukrainian family representing Catholics under threat with what is going on in Ukraine.
HARLOW: Sure.
FEILER: He brought that up at the U.N., as you all know. And he is saying again, remember, remember, remember. It's not a Hollywood. It's not all glamour. There are people suffering. Let's keep days as focus on that.
HARLOW: And let's remember who he stands up to greet. It is the average people. Not necessarily the celebrities, it is the people. Those most in need as we saw that boy in the wheelchair and you saw also an amazing young boy speak, who as Mark Wahlberg said earlier, the voice of an angel. Let's listen in.
All right. Before that, we're going to take a quick break. We'll be right back with our live coverage from Philadelphia, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[20:46:07] CUOMO: It is a special night here in Philadelphia. One of the highlights so far is standing next to us. I have lost Poppy Harlow because she's in the troll of Bobby Hill.
HARLOW: I am.
CUOMO: He's with the Keystone State boy choir. He sang up on that stage and literally it was one of the moments of the night early on. Take a listen to this.
(BOBBY HILL PERFORMING) HARLOW: So we are joined now by none other than Bobby Hill from the keystone State Boy Choir. Look at you as you were walking up there to greet the Pope. Walk us through that moment. What was that like?
BOBBY HILL, KEYSTONE STATE BOY CHOIR: It was amazing. Our choir, the keystone state boy choir, we went to Antarctica in 2009 and we brought back a rock and we were waiting to give it to someone special like maybe the president or somebody.
HARLOW: Or maybe the Pope?
HILL: Or maybe the Pope. But we sang for the Pope first so we gave it to the Pope. But there is a second rock in case President Obama wants to invite us to the White House.
HARLOW: You are ever this (INAUDIBLE), my friend.
How old are you?
HILL: I'm 14.
CUOMO: Fourteen years old.
HILL: Yes.
CUOMO: How long have you been singing with the choir?
HILL: Seven years.
CUOMO: What a beautiful voice. What does it mean to you to sing for the Pope and to see how he was looking at you?
HILL: It just really affirming. I've been working and singing for a long time and the Pope -- I saw him in Italy last year and it's just surreal to meet him in person.
HARLOW: You know that Mark Wahlberg, right after you walking upstage and he beaconed you back.
HILL: Yes.
HARLOW: And he said you have a voice of an angel.
HILL: Yes.
HARLOW: When did you discover that voice, Bobby?
HILL: Well, I've been singing in the choir and about two years ago they said, oh, you have an amazing soprano voice. I was a soprano, too. So they moved me up to soprano one and I've been singing that.
CUOMO: Smart move by them. What did you say to the Pope and what did he give you?
HILL: Well, to the Pope, I said, this is a rock from Antarctica that our choir brought back and we would like you to have it. It's the rock of Peter. And he gave me a red velvet box but I didn't know what was in ti. I had (INAUDIBLE) and there was a blessed rosary inside.
HARLOW: Wow.
HILL: Yes.
HARLOW: So this is a Pope who tells everyone, as you probably know, pray for me as well, right?
HILL: Yes.
HARLOW: What will you pray for this Pope?
[20:50:04] HILL: I would pray that everything that he's doing and trying to affect climate change and actual issues that his work pays off.
CUOMO: You think it matters whether you are Catholic or Christian or anything, the Pope's message no matter who you are?
HILL: I think the Pope's message is universal to everybody. And I think that everybody should listen to him because he's are owe very smart and intellectual person.
HARLOW: Is this, obviously, you are only 14 years old.
HILL: Yes.
HARLOW: You know, I'm interested in what sort of effect has this Pope had on you? Have you thought about him a lot ahead this visit?
HILL: Yes. Well, my dad really like this is Pope. So he's always talking about him and has him on the TV and on the radio in the car. So he is always talking about it, so.
CUOMO: We have this thing going on twitter #Popein3words. What are your three?
HILL: Intellectual, spiritual and kind.
HARLOW: He is kind. He is kind. So with a voice like this, with a voice of an angel, you can go so far and this Pope asks of all of us at the end of the day what have you done for others.
HILL: Yes.
HARLOW: And that's what it is all about. What do you want to do, Bobby Hill?
HILL: I just hope that -- you never know who is out there listening and I hope that my singing can help somebody get through a difficult time or something in that effect.
CUOMO: I have to believe it did because we wanted you up here as soon as you finished singing. And not just your age but because of what your voice captures. Anybody, a lot of people can sing well but to sing with a passion of what you're singing about is unusual. No matter what your age, you have that my young friend.
Thank you.
CUOMO: But I want to know, why did you have to mention Ted? Of all move that you could make, you go to Wahlberg, he says you say like an angel, you said I like the movie "Ted"?
HILL: That's the only movie I've seen him in.
HARLOW: Because you're too young.
HILL: Oh, my God.
CUOMO: We were lucky the Pope didn't get it.
HARLOW: I have to tell you, Chris. We were in a commercial break when you began singing and Chris and I were just stunned and we turned around and our director Marty said to me, wow, what a voice. So I don't - it probably doesn't always sink in to you how much your voice impacts others but you should - I hope you know that.
HILL: Thank you so much.
HARLOW: You're so welcome.
CUOMO: I have a hint for you. Something that my father use to tell me all the time. I didn't listen, but you should listen. It's good advice. You should write something to yourself about this occasion tonight.
HILL: OK.
CUOMO: About what it was like for you to sing for the Pope, what he said to you, what he gave to you because even though it's so fresh in your memory now and you'll never forget it, right? Write it down. Do everything you can to remember this night because you did something special for you and for everybody who is watching this tonight. Everybody who is here. So thank you for that, Bobby.
HILL: Thank you so much.
HARLOW: What a moment. Thank you, Bobby. So nice to meet you. You are quite the talent.
CUOMO: We are going to take a little break. You were really taken with him during the singing.
HARLOW: I was - yes. Yes, the voice of the angel. I couldn't describe it better.
Bobby Hill, thank you.
Here we see the Pope greeting yet another family. We are going to take a quick break. We are back with our special live coverage here from the festival of families in Philadelphia.
This is CNN. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[20:57:11] CUOMO: How would you describe the Pope in three words? That's our social media challenge here in Philadelphia. Look how beautiful the night is and look how beautiful that man is to those in attendance here tonight. He has been patiently going through the program and when people come up to tell their stories, he comes alive.
We've heard from a number of families tonight that are the faces of faith around the world. We're through five. There's one more family. We've had amazing performances. But the night has really been about the man that you see on your screen right now, Pope Francis here in Philadelphia. I'm Chris Cuomo here with the one and only Poppy Harlow.
HARLOW: And what an evening it is. What a day it has been. He landed here just around 12 hours ago almost now in Philadelphia. He held mass, he had that really historic speech at independence hall and he made his way in a grand motorcade to about a million people cheering him on here for the festival of families.
As we continue to talk about what this visit means, we do want to know what you would say. What are the three words you would use to describe this Pope? We have heard a lot from many of you. What are those three words?
Let me bring in Father Tim Kesicki, he with us from Washington, D.C.
To you, as you watch tonight, I'm interested what has struck you most about these performances hearing from the families and who he stands up to greet, Father.
KESICKI: Well, as has been noted, he loves to hear real people. It's not that he has anything against people of importance, but the family testimonials are just so powerful especially suffering. He has incredible empathy for humans suffering and transparency. The couple struggling with chastity. Those living in war-torn areas. And his heart goes out to them.
I have noticed that he seems to be fighting his jet lag quite well. And you can just see how he wakes up, how he comes to life when those families approach him and he hears their story. He's just such a loving man and that love is just -- it's contagious. He calls all of us to be loving.
CUOMO: Father Kesicki, what has surprised you in terms of the reception and the impact of the message in the United States?
KESICKI: You know, I was a 17-year-old senior in high school when Pope John Paul II came to Philadelphia in 1979. And I was amazed that it shut the city down and all of the TV stations were covering the Pope. I thought I'd never see a day like that again. And I've just been amazed that he has captivated the entire news cycle. Even, you know, the resignation of the speaker of the house, third in line to the presidency, has been a story. But all eyes are still on Pope Francis.
HARLOW: Yes.
KESICKI: His magnetism, his charisma, and his leadership are consuming the minds and the passions of our nations as very powerful.
END
