Papal Visit Security Concerns

As Washington, D.C. and New York City get ready for the historic visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States from April 15-20, 2008, security concerns demand collaboration among law enforcement agencies.

In Washington, the U.S. Secret Service and the Metro Police are organizing a security force which includes surrounding jurisdictions. And in New York City, the Secret Service will be working with the NYPD to keep the pope's travel route and event locations safe. Even the Vatican Swiss Guard will be among the security detail.

"From the moment [the pope] lands in the United States we will be involved in transportation and the popemobile is here and will be utilized in both Washington D.C. and here in New York…"
—Brian Parr, special agent in charge of the Secret Service New York field office

"We will provide the highest possible level of security while accommodating the public in welcoming the pontiff."
—New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly

In a world where safety concerns have become paramount, we would do well to remember the words of Pope Benedict:

"[E]very generation has the task of engaging anew in the arduous search for the right way to order human affairs; this task is never simply completed. Yet every generation must also make its own contribution to establishing convincing structures of freedom and of good, which can help the following generation as a guideline for the proper use of human freedom; hence, always within human limits, they provide a certain guarantee also for the future."
—Encyclical Letter, In Hope We Were Saved

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NBC4/DC—Security Personnel Team Up For Papal Visit	Click here to visit site
Associated Press—NYC, DC Preparing for Pope	Click here to visit site
The Gothamist—Pope Benedict's Visit Means Unprecedented Security	Click here to visit site
Vatican Website—Pope's Itinerary	Click here to visit site