Once again we piled into our buses for a mid-morning report
time even though Mass wasn’t scheduled to begin until 4 p.m. preceded by the “papal
parade” through Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
 |
| Oh look who I ran into at the media center. I cropped this and sent it to some friends/family. |
Our assignment was the same which was to be available to
escort crews out into the area where they could do “man on the street” type
interviews. As we made our way through the media risers we ran smack into one
of my favorite authors and fellow Loyola graduate, Fr. James Martin, S.J.! “My Life with the Saints” by Fr. Martin was
my companion for many quiet Sunday mornings as I learned more about St.
Ignatius among many.
 |
| "Say hi to Kelly Hughes" says Fr. Martin. Hi Kelly! Go Ramblers! |
His publicist also
happens to be a dear friend of mine and we shared our mutual admiration for her
(yet another Loyola grad by the way). You may also recognize Fr. Martin as the “chaplain”
for the Daily Show with Stephen Colbert and a frequent analyst for CNN and
editor for America.
It’s quite a site to
watch the gradual coming together of close to a million people for Mass. And
even though there are stages and music, the atmosphere was decidedly different
than just 12 hours previously when it had been host to a celebrity-studded
line-up. In the place of elaborate stage
lighting and ever-changing backdrops was
a beautiful cross and elegant altar.
The musicians began to arrive along with the orchestra
instruments. At some point in time someone erected a canopy tent over the choir
which is great for protecting priceless instruments but bad for obstructing the
view of thousands of pilgrims who had camped out overnight to get at least a
long glimmer of the pope.
 |
| Boys' choir member Saturday show stopper |
 |
| Secret Service men at work. |
People in the crowd started chanting “take the tent down”
and everywhere I turned someone was commenting on it. And despite the threat of
rain and likely due to the graciousness of many of the grounds people and
musicians, the tent came down and cheers erupted.
Here’s some "behind the scenes" videos - and much better shots of the Popemobile!! (or as my daughter calls it the Pope Bubble:
So, what can I say about being at Mass with the Pope? Powerful. Electric. Amazing. After a week of watching him at a number of different events
it was remarkably peaceful to be present at Mass with him. And despite the crowds you could hear a pin
drop during the Pope’s homily.
Now imagine the logistics of having to distribute communion
to a crowd of close to 1 million. Cue the Eucharistic ministers, their escorts
and the Vatican-umbrellas – a marker I’m told is used at all the large papal
Masses such as at World Youth Day.
It was bittersweet to have this be the final public papal
event in what had been a wonderful week of memories.
Meanwhile, waiting at the airport for the official departure ceremony for the pope was one of my colleagues (far left - Erin Carlson, Diocese of Saginaw Communications Director) who helped connect a reporter to a wonderful story here .
 |
Joseph D'Aleo of Rockville Centre, a New York City
Sanitation Department supervisor sick with a 9/11-related disease, shook hands
with Pope Francis at Sunday night's farewell event at Philadelphia's airport.
|
And those are the
moments that make us especially grateful to be blessed to do what we do.
Bringing the stories of hope.
And here's a fantastic recap video of the entire trip produced by the USCCB:
