When Pope Francis’ only visit to the United States occurred in 2015, media interest at first seemed focused on the political aspects of the trip. The Pope was scheduled to meet President Obama at the White House and address a joint session of Congress. Clearly the Washington dimension of the visit would be global news.
As we mourn the passing today of Pope Francis and look back upon that time, it is clear that it was his great humanity that captured the hearts of the American people, and not his politics.
The team at Stanton had an up-close view.
In addition to his Washington, D.C. visit, the Pope was slated to visit New York where he would be far more engaged with clergy and the public than with political leaders. As the media access credentialing portal opened, some wondered if this final stop on his itinerary would stimulate significant press coverage. His schedule included Mass at Madison Square Garden, a greeting of 9/11 victims’ families at Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan, a stop at a Catholic elementary school in Harlem, and prayers at St. Patrick’s Cathedral following a celebratory parade down Fifth Avenue.
Stanton had supported two papal visits of St. John Paul II and the visit of Benedict XVI in 2008. Media applications for credentials in those instances were significant, in John Paul’s case numbering more than 10,000. We were invited again to support media access for the visit of Pope Francis to New York City and worked closely with the Archdiocese of New York’s Press Office and visit planners on media logistics, coverage positions, credentialing and more.
Along the way, not insignificant challenges had to be addressed. At Our Lady Queen of Angels school, high-level sight lines on nearby buildings had the Secret Service planning a tented arrival resulting in no one being able to see the Holy Father except those privileged to be inside. The Press Office was determined to give the children of the school a chance to greet Pope Francis, and after much negotiation, succeeded in creating a receiving line of kids who cheered for Francis and reached for him as he moved down the row. An indelible image of the Pope that flashed on news wires around the world was of the Holy Father taking selfies with the kids. (See featured image above)
Along Fifth Avenue, public access to the parade route also was constrained by security considerations. Again, a number of possible solutions were considered, and as the Pope arrived, the public had far greater access than originally conceived, though surely not as much as if the entire route would have been wide open to all. Nonetheless, the media were in full attendance, filling a colossal grandstand the Archdiocese erected opposite the front door of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Anchor positions lined the street with broadcasters breaking into live coverage as the Holy Father arrived in the Popemobile. Following the service inside, he left in a tiny Fiat.
Madison Square Garden became a celebrity showcase. Harry Connick, Jr. and Jennifer Hudson performed. Reported sightings of Sting, Leonardo DiCaprio and others in the audience appeared afterward.
But the public appeal of Francis was never in greater evidence than during an impromptu tour of Central Park. This element was not on the original agenda and only was added by the Archdiocese to give even more people access to Francis. Media access was another story. Again, security concerns at first made the drive-through a tight pool arrangement on a camera flatbed preceding the Popemobile. But more press sought access, and a last-minute credentialing process enabled some 200 credentials to be issued almost within hours of the event’s occurrence. Some estimated the crowd in attendance at more than 250,000.
Such moments transcend politics, division and controversy. Pope Francis was shepherd to a global community and his presence in Manhattan made him a New Yorker to many thousands in the city. The media, ultimately numbering more than 5,000 credentialed journalists, technicians, and photographers extended that reach to many millions beyond New York.
It was a great privilege to be a part of this occasion. With the passing of Pope Francis, everyone at Stanton sends their prayers for his eternal rest and expressions of gratitude to the Archdiocese of New York for the chance to be a part of his mission.
