It was on the morning of Wednesday, October 3, 1979 that Barbara and I and her sister Bernadette decided on the spur of the moment to drive into Philly in hopes of seeing Pope John Paul II.

So just like that we drove down, parked my 1974 Chevy Monte Carlo two blocks from the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and awaited for the Pope who was traveling in a motorcade to arrive.

The excitement grew from the crowd as we could see the Pope approaching and as he got closer to where we were standing both myself, Barbara and Bernadette could feel a sense of holiness - a divine presence.

It was and still is a feeling we will never forgot.

That's when I stood on top of a fire hydrant and took this photo just as the Pope was looking in our direction - It is a photo and memory I will cherish forever.

And although the world has changed in so many ways 36 years later and it will be much more difficult to travel into the city, but anyone who has a chance to see Pope Francis this weekend should not miss the opportunity to attend this historic event.