Officer wounded in line of duty to greet Pope Francis

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Monday, September 14, 2015
VIDEO: Wounded cop to meet pope
A Philadelphia police officer wounded in the line of duty seven years ago got a special surprise at the end of mass Sunday morning.

PHILADELPHIA -- A Philadelphia police officer wounded in the line of duty seven years ago got a special surprise at the end of mass Sunday morning.

Retired Officer Richard Bowes, his wife and three children will greet Pope Francis when he lands at Philadelphia International Airport for the World Meeting of Families.

The announcement was made Sunday morning at Saint Christopher's Church in the city's Somerton section.

"I'm completely overwhelmed right now, I feel so blessed and humbled and grateful, and honestly I don't feel we're worthy enough for something of this caliber," said Bowes' wife.

In 2008, Bowes was shot while responding to a shooting that took the life of another officer.

Bowes returned fire killing the suspect.

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