Pope Francis is slated to visit the United States in September, and according to the head of the U.S. Secret Service, it will be a tremendous challenge.
A lot of people are expected to come down just to see the Pope. That proves to be challenging already for the part of the security team in ensuring his safety.
The thing that's going to add up to that challenge is the Pontiff's love of commingling with the public. This is why the Security Service, Vatican Security and the New York Police Department (NYPD) are combining forces.
Joseph Clancy, director of the Secret Service, went to Italy in June to convene with the Vatican security in preparation for the upcoming visit of Pope Francis.
"I went out to Rome to see first-hand how their detail works, protecting the Pope and what he likes to do and how he travels within the crowds," Clancy told ABC, according to Catholic Herald.
The Pope will arrive on Sept. 24 at JFK, CBS New York reported. That evening, he will go to St. Patrick's Cathedral.
The following day is going to take a lot of Pope Francis' schedule. He will host an inter-faith service at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, visit a school in East Harlem and commemorate a mass at Madison Square Garden.
He is also scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly, which reportedly will draw around 160 leaders around the world.
"He has made it quite clear in his travels around the world that he wants to interact with the public in a way in which we are not used to having public figures deal with the public, and that's going to be a challenge for us," police Commissioner Bill Bratton said.
Other than New York, the Pope will also visit Washington D.C. and Philadelphia.
To cover the Pope's visit, the Catholic website Aleteia hosted a search for Millennials to join the Digital Street Team. NCR online learned that the team members will create and share social media content of the Pope's activities at the Congress, the White House and the United Nations.
Aleteia will be announcing the winners on Aug. 18. The entries are found here.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young people to participate in a papal visit and be involved firsthand in helping the Pope spread his message of hope and change," Aleteia spokesperson Jason Deal said in a press release.
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