If you’ve been following me on Twitter @iPhillyChitChat and on FB you know for the past month I’ve been fairly clear on what to expect during the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families.  (In fact June 16 I did mention the road closing when the Mayor released the Transit Report for the Pope’s stay. and the Mayor hinted to be prepared to walk up to 3 miles on that day.) Most of this is just affecting Center City, and we in Center City are a hardy bunch. We like when things out of the ordinary happen, but we want to know about it first. There’s nothing worse than getting stuck in traffic because a parade, protest or someone is installing an HVAC system on a new high rise building downtown happens and we don’t know about it; We want to know which streets to avoid in those cases, so we can get where we’re going, or maybe so we can watch. Most of this security is for the people, to have order when you have a million plus in one location. I went to Times Square for New Year’s Eve once, they lock down midtown/Times Square in a similar fashion. It’s about safety, not inconvenience, and for the Pope’s Mass and Pope Mobile drive as pictured below.
NBC10 mentioned the fence was going to happen, but I’ve filled in the info about where it’s going and which streets are closing.  

Earlier this week officials released the Pope’s USA Schedule. I was kinda surprised it was so detailed included what airport he was landing at. The good thing is hopefully we can line the street at some of these locations to get a glimpse.

Saturday, Sept. 26
8:40 a.m. Departure from John F. Kennedy International Airport
Philadelphia
9:30 a.m. Arrival at Atlantic Aviation, Philadelphia
10:30 a.m. Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. (For Clergy only I hear)
4:45 p.m. Visit to Independence Mall
7:30 p.m. Visit to the Festival of Families Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Sunday, Sept 27
9:15 a.m. Meeting with bishops at at St. Martin’s Chapel, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
11 a.m. Visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility
4 p.m. Mass for the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway
7 p.m. Visit with organizers, volunteers and benefactors of the World Meeting of Families, Atlantic Aviation
8 p.m. Departure for Rome

 If you’re leaving town leave on Wednesday or Thursday at the latest, but please give your place to a relative that wants to see the Pope; it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. The security measures are meant for the Pope, as much as for the million or so people who are coming into town. You know on any given day yahoo’s on our street drive aggressively, no matter what lies in their way, and people cross the street without a care in the world. Now imagine trying to corral a million people to stay on the sidewalks, and preventing drivers from yahooing through the City streets. Bike riding in Center City is fine, just not inside the fence.

There will be no private vehicles driven in Center City. Starting Friday after rush-hour, I hear all roads will be closed between Girard and South Streets, River to River, other closures are rumored to be rt 676 that connects the BF Bridge to the Schuykill. Which means the Ben Franklin Bridge will be closed. Maybe we can walk over it like we did during it’s 75th Birthday.  Folks in charge are calling this “Operation Pope Snow Storm.”

Because we love those epic snowstorms that cripple the City. We don’t complain when we don’t have to drive, or go to school, or work. I have heard the officials have been contacting business to explain to them how they will be affected, which ones might have to close, but all of them within these boundaries will not be allowed to get supplies in from Friday to Sunday night. That’s not a hardship, just schedule for extra deliveries on Thursday. Employees that’s another thing, I am hearing a lot of cots being set up in establishments. Some of the people I’ve talked to are upset about that, but again, this is a once in a lifetime experience. There really isn’t going to be a run on Whole Foods for butcher items.

It’s going to be a special fence.  There will be one around Independence Hall and The PA Convention Center too. #NBD we go through security and into the fenced in stadiums to see sports teams and concerts.

You will have to go through security to get into this area, but I can assure you there will be heavy security to even get through the outer perimeter, with lots of security sweeps. I think this is great. I’m very excited for the Pope’s visit and this is no more inconvenient than when Made in America plays in my front yard. If you don’t like crowds there will be giant Jumbo TV’s set up in various areas around the City, a few of the parks, as well as along the Parkway which they do for large events.

The road closures begin on Friday, so make sure if you’re leaving for the weekend, leave on Thursday at the latest. (Schools will be closed Friday I hear, and I think on Monday as well.) It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, and an amazing economic impact for Philadelphia.