Federal security officials seem especially worried about one event on Pope Francis’ visit to America – his planned speech before Congress.
Leaders from both parties are concerned that the pontiff will be mobbed by publicity-seeking members of Congress looking for photo-ops or to appear on television with Francis.
They’ve had to carefully instruct Congressional members that no handshakes, photos, or kissing of the rings are allowed when Francis enters the House chamber for his historic speech to Congress.
Even more pathetic, House and Senate leaders are planning on building a wall of inner-circle veterans they trust to block the pope from glad-handers desperate to reach him.
These same House and Senate leaders also sent a reminder message this week to fellow lawmakers, asking they refrain “from handshakes and conversations along and down the center aisle during the announced arrivals of the Senate, dean of the Diplomatic Corps, U.S. Supreme Court, president’s Cabinet and Pope Francis.”
The pope is scheduled to arrive at the Capitol shortly after 9 a.m. EDT tomorrow to meet with House Speaker John Boehner, then start his address to a joint meeting of Congress in the House chamber shortly thereafter. Vice President Joe Biden, diplomats, justices, and Cabinet members are expected in a jam-packed chamber.
House members and senators each were allocated one ticket to distribute for seats in the House gallery to view the speech.
The speech also will be telecast on giant screens on the West Lawn of the Capitol, where up to 50,000 people with tickets are expected to view it.
House members were given 50 standing-room tickets for the West Lawn and senators were given 200. Lawmakers also were each allocated one ticket to distribute for viewing from the lower west terrace of the Capitol.
After his speech to Congress, the pope will appear on the Capitol balcony facing the National Mall to address the crowds.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
It is electrifying. You can feel the Spirit, engaging us in what is right and just. May the Lord Bless Pope Francis.
Why would GOD bless an evil POS like the pope.
God will not bless the Lord God Pope any more than he would baby killer Obama
or Babby Brain Byden
who would hold up God as an instrument
Of the democratic party.God is in complete control.
https://youtu.be/hgHoVZhTkI4
If the Pope preaches what the Bible says about abortion, homosexuality, lying and adultery the number of politicians wanting to be near him will drop considerably.
Meanwhile many of these same politicians are supporting the baby slaughter and chop shop industry run by Planned Parenthood. They need to repent and begin to create laws which will value human life rather than valuing the fat wallets of abortion providers.
These same lying frauds boycotted the Israeli PM Netanyahu
What a bunch of scum
Yes they are all scum even the pope is scum and a liberal communist.
It sounds like crowd control training for a bunch of teens/pre-teens “chosen” to appear at the arrival of “star” musicians.
How very pathetic that adults- particularly adults the ages of most of these, would even need this kind of direction and security against them.
Yes, let’s all act like star-struck children and mob the Pope!
NO ONE but the FATHER in HEAVEN can be called the HOLY FATHER..the pope is comiting Blasphey, the unforgiveable sin