New mural planned to honor Pope’s visit

The design for a mural to honor Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia this September was unveiled by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Thursday.

Artist Cesar Viveros designed the 4,239-square-foot mural, entitled “The Sacred Now: Faith and Family in the 21st Century.”

“When Pope Francis comes to Philadelphia, it will be a historical moment in time and I want that moment to be registered visually with images that stand out,” Viveros said of the mural. “I want to paint about the wisdom that comes with years in the figure of Pope Francis and what he represents.”

The piece will be painted on 153 panels in a series of public “paint days,” lasting through the World Meeting of Families on Sept. 22-27, to be completed in November.

The mural will be mounted on St. Malachy School.