Good Samaritan gives papal tickets to grateful group

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- As the Philadelphia region awaits Pope Francis' arrival, he already is inspiring friendship, love, and good deeds.

Hector Gonzalez and his group have made their pilgrimage from Denver, Colorado, which they call home.

"We are happy to stay here; we are very excited," Gonzalez said.

But like so many others, they weren't able to get event tickets.

Then a random act of kindness on the streets of Philadelphia captured by our Action News cameras changed all that.

They were befriended by Barbara Brown, a very Good Samaritan.

She is in Philadelphia to attend the World Meeting of Families from Boston and gave the group four tickets to the papal events.

"I was honored to do it. That's what we're called to do. That's what the pope says," Brown said.

Gonzalez received tickets for both the Papal Mass and the Festival of Families.

"I feel blessed because we didn't have any tickets and now we have four now," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez and his friends are originally from Guatemala and Mexico.

"They came so far and the pope has such a message for immigrants, particularly. It was clear they weren't born in the United States and the pope speaks Spanish and so do they. I think they would get so much out of it," Brown said.

This will most likely not be the last moment sign of good will to happen - some caught on camera, some off camera - this weekend in Philadelphia.