Reflecting on Knotted Grotto

In 2015 Meg created Knotted Grotto, an installation in honor of Pope Francis’ historic visit to Philadelphia, which engaged over 150,000 people. Participants were encouraged to write a personal struggle on a strip of cloth and tie it into the grotto. They could then untie another strip and walko with someone else’s struggles as an exchange of responsibility. 

Having the good fortune of being with Pope Francis for less than five minutes changed my life. During his Philadelphia visit, he broke the parade route and visited Knotted Grotto. With no prior planning, he hobbled out of his Fiat, smiled like the dearest grandpa you would love to have, and ran our prayer struggles through his fingers. Then he blessed them.

His instinct and time that day showed me the meaning of faith and the capacity of the human spirit. It reached the 150,000 people who participated in Knotted Grotto, a place where I saw and felt miracles happen. Papa Francis, you have shown us a leader with an enormous world impact through love, kindness and focus on those in need. Thank you and well done. Que descanse en paz.