First Official Papal-visit Merchandise Store Opens

As we've continued to report, excitement surrounding Pope Francis I's visit to Philadelphia is growing, especially now that the papal visit is just over two weeks away. Now, a store dedicated to pope-visit merchandise has opened in downtown Philadelphia.

According to 6 ABC, it's the first pop-up store selling merchandise for The World Meeting of Families and papal souvenirs. The store's products include bobbleheads, plush pope dolls and more. Prices range from $5 for a pope medallion to $40 for a golf shirt to $70 for a sweatshirt. Apparently rosary beads haven't arrived at the store at time of print, but they will be on sale for $200.

Donna Crilley Farrell, executive director of The World Meeting of Families, told 6 ABC that she isn't sure how much The World Meeting of Families merchandise will raise, but she hopes it will cover the cost of the event.

This is currently the only spot in Philadelphia to buy official merchandise, but more will pop up at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, along the Ben Franklin Parkway—the site of the papal mass in the city—and at Independence Mall.

Farrell added that the organization acknowledges the entrepreneurial spirit of Philadelphians who have made their own Pope Francis merchandise, but also asserted that these pop-up stores are the only official retail outlets for memorabilia.