A mural in North Philadelphia, created to honor Pope Francis’s historic visit in 2015, has taken on new significance after his passing on Monday, transforming into a memorial for mourners and the faithful.
The artwork, which measures 4,239 square feet and is located on the walls of Saint Malachy School, was designed by Cesar Viveros, a Mexican artist who has lived in Philadelphia for over two decades.
Reflecting on the mural, Viveros noted that it showcases the “diversity of what we consider family,” a sentiment that resonates particularly during times of loss.
“When people look at this mural right now, they see family, they see union, they see compassion,” Viveros expressed. “And the message is more than that. Family, whatever it means for everyone, that’s the core of society and that’s where that’s what everything revolves around.”
The mural was unveiled during the World Meeting of Families, which drew a crowd of thousands to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway where Pope Francis delivered his message of unity, love, and the importance of family and immigrant traditions.
Jane Golden, the founder and Executive Director of Mural Arts, commented on the universal themes portrayed in Viveros’s work, highlighting how it speaks to the present moment as much as it did nearly a decade ago.
She recalled the night of the mural’s unveiling, where the design was dramatically illuminated before an audience of approximately 800,000, eventually being broadcast worldwide.
“It was a significant moment for Philadelphia, known for its 4,000 murals,” Golden noted as she revisited the emotions of that night.
The mural consists of more than 150 panels, divided into three sections, each paying homage to the Pope’s visit and symbolizing the Holy Trinity. It illustrates families from diverse backgrounds, embodying its central theme: “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.”
Golden remarked on the depth of Viveros’s design, reflecting not only his admiration for Pope Francis but also mirroring his own journey as an immigrant.
“I think that Cesar’s design in a way reflected not only his love of the Pope and his respect for the Pope, but also his own journey coming to this country and how important it is to be surrounded by love and empathy and respect and an openness and all the things that really the Pope represented,” she explained.
In the wake of the Pope’s passing, many have gathered at the mural, lighting candles as a way to commemorate his life and impact.
“Every time I’ve been there this week, there have been other people there,” Golden shared. “Yesterday, there were people who came and they were lighting candles in front … I was thinking and reflecting on it and I thought it would be really nice to mark that occasion because of his passing and you feel it’s a way to hold on to him and all he brought to the world and to that moment in Philadelphia.”
Viveros himself was deeply affected by the news of Pope Francis’s death, recalling the immediate impact it had on him as he began to reflect on the pontiff’s teachings, especially around the subject of immigration.
“It was so hard to start a new life,” Viveros recounted, sharing the challenges he faced upon arriving in America. “You don’t speak the language. You don’t know the way around … It’s terrifying to start a new life in a foreign country, but you do it because you need to do it. It’s not a luxury.”
He emphasized the Pope’s call for compassion towards immigrants, noting that they often come to work hard and contribute positively to society.
Viveros reminisced about the moment he met Pope Francis on stage at the Parkway, where the Pope signed a section of the mural. It was a memory shared with his daughter, who proudly exclaimed, “Daddy, that’s my daddy, daddy,” as she watched her father’s moment of recognition as a muralist.
“I wanted to believe that I have a voice. Just like everybody else, we should be recognized,” he reflected, showcasing the pride he feels for the collective effort that brought the mural to life, which included contributions from over 2,700 participants.
The mural, which once held the Guinness World Record for “Most Contributions to a Painting by Numbers,” also serves as a tribute to Viveros’s late wife, Ana Guissel Palma, who passed away three years after the mural’s completion.
“I just could see through her eyes that she really enjoyed it,” Viveros remarked, expressing the hope that the mural continues to resonate with others.
“I hope this mural lasts and speaks to other people too,” he concluded, encapsulating the enduring message of love and family that the Pope championed during his life.
image source from：https://whyy.org/articles/north-philadelphia-pope-francis-mural-arts/
