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Delco Businesses Hope Pope's Visit to Philadelphia Will Provide Added Lift

By Mark Abrams

SPRINGFIELD, Pa. (CBS) -- Delaware County businesses are looking for some exposure when Pope Francis comes to Philadelphia for a visit this fall.

Members of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce listened attentively this morning as representatives of the group "World Meeting of Families Philadelphia" talked about the regional opportunities growing out of the pope's visit and the World Meeting congress.

Suzanne Sagullo, of the Staybridge Suites in Glen Mills, Pa., says her property still has a few rooms left for the end of September.  But, she adds, they recently scored a booking from the pope's home country.

"We do have a group from Argentina who is staying for about eight nights during the course of the trip. It's about 25 (people).  They booked about two months ago," she tells KYW Newsradio.

Carley Mack, of Penns Woods Winery, says she's aiming to attract papal pilgrims to take a side trip to Chadds Ford, Pa.

"We're hoping to bring people out to the winery, visit, do some wine tastings," she said today.

Mack_Carley winery _Mabrams
(Carley Mack, of Penns Woods Winery in Chadds Ford, Pa. Photo by Mark Abrams)

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Donna Farrell, executive director of the World Meeting of Families organization (at lectern in top photo), says the pope's visit and the world congress offer tourism and economic benefits.

"This is not just for Catholics, and it's not just for Philadelphia," she said.  "It's for people of all faiths and people throughout the region."

 

 

 

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