10,000 volunteers needed for Pope’s visit

10,000 volunteers needed for Pope’s visit

If you can say “Welcome to Philly” in more than one language — and even if you can’t, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia might have a job for you.

The church is looking for 10,000 volunteers ahead of the Pope’s visit in September for the World Meeting of Families.

There are more than 100 potential ways to volunteer for the event. Airport greeters are needed, but so are social media support people and include airport greeter and social media support.

Organizers say they expect strong demand for translators.

Volunteers 18-years-old or older can sign up for one day or all of them, but they’ll need to attend training days ahead of the event and pass a “level three” background check.

Volunteer registration will be conducted through a website, where applicants will be able to pick their assignment. Organizers say registration is expected to take 4 to 5 minutes. Applicants should be approved within one or two days.

Officials with the World Meeting of Families say more volunteering opportunities will become available as the itinerary for the event is announced. That announcement is expected in early summer.

Pope Francis is expected to conclude the festivities with a mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass on the Parkway during the last papal visit in 1979. More than 1 million attended.