Philadelphia

Family Plans 11,000-Mile Journey to Philly to See Pope Francis

An Argentine couple and their four children have already hit the road for a trip to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families in September.

That's an 11,184-mile journey -- in a Volkswagen van, according to the Catholic News Agency.

Noelle Zemborain and her husband Alfredo "Catire" Walker and their four children -- all under the age of 12 -- kicked off the seven-month trip earlier this month with the end goal being a celebration at the World Meeting of Families with Pope Francis -- a fellow Argentine.

"The family is everything and we want to say it," Zemborain told CNA.

The Zemborain/Walker clan were bid a fond farewell with a send-off mass in San Isidro in the Buenos Aires province on March 7. From there, they'll stop in Chili, up the Pacific Coast into Peru, Ecuador, Columbia, Central America and Mexico before making their way through the United States and, finally, to Philadelphia, " reported the News Agency.

Zemborain and Walker hope the trip will be a spiritual one designed to strengthen personal encounters and let go of material possessions, according to CNA.

Pope Francis is expected to arrive in Philadelphia Friday, Sept. 25 as the World Meeting of Families wraps.

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