Washington DC, Wednesday, April 16

"Wheels are down" from a reporter behind me meant that Shepard One had landed at Andrews Air Force base and Pope Benedict XVI had landed safely in America yesterday afternoon. A beautiful, almost cloudless sky, greeted him as he arrived 10 minutes early and to loud cheers. As the plane taxied into place and President Bush walking with Laura and Jenna Bush walked up to greet the Pope, the crowd grew incredibly subdued and quiet as the Holy Father stepped out of the plane. We were all surprised at how quickly he came down the steps, smiling and waving.

Prior to his arrival we worked with the reporters and photographers, getting them together with the military, families and invited guests who were waiting in the bleachers for the Pope's arrival. The media was grateful and we had fun mingling with the crowd while we all anxiously awaited.

Today I was along the parade route on Pennsylvania Avenue, again working with media and having the advantage of getting close to the Popemobile as he moved past us on yet another stellar weather day. I stepped out of the van before the parade into a crowd of young Hispanics, chanting "Alleulia", and "Benedicto" and the excitement was contagious.

More on this later... 

Monday, April 14th

It is the eve of Pope Benedict XVI's first visit to the US and things are really starting to buzz around the District.  Local newscasts now feature stories of those anticipating the Pope's visit rather than making sure everyone knows the road closures to make way for the papal entourage. I saw one television story tonight that featured students at Catholic University preparing for the Pope's visit with a candlelight vigil. One of the students interviewed who has been chosen to meet the Pope said he will be going to medical school after graduation and hopes to ask Pope Benedict to bless his hands. A different channel ran a story on the preparations at Nationals Park where the Pope will celebrate Mass for 45,000 people on Thursday. The story showed workers building the altar for the Mass, the first non baseball event in the park which opened March 30.

All of the local stations will be broadcasting live during the Mass, and several outlets will be host streaming video on their websites. Together with some of the other volunteers we will be working with 750 credentialed members of the media from all over the world and across the US.

On Tuesday, Pope Benedict arrives at Andrews Air Force base at 4 pm. My assignment is to get media through security, onto buses and ride over to the base to await his arrival. He will be greeted by President Bush and his wife, Laura and many dignitaries from the Archdiocese of Washington. I'm anxious to see how this will all come together, and honestly, I'm very excited to have been chosen to be there when Pope Benedict XVI's plane, Shepherd One lands, and he steps out to greet America!

Coming on Tuesday...a wrap up on the Pope's arrival and preparations for his visit to the White House and Vespers and Address to the US Bishops.

Thursday, April 17th

It’s midnight and the night before I leave DC after an incredible week. We started very early this morning (many from my group had to be at Nationals Stadium at 3 am). At the Pope’s Mass this morning I worked as an escort with the photographer pool on the field. There were about 12 photographers in each group, and as we walked our group up to the side and the front of the stage, I looked up and couldn’t believe that I was looking up at an estimated 46,000 thousand people.

Later today I worked as a media escort at the Interfaith Religious Gathering at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center near the Basilica and Catholic University. We were stationed at the main entrance and the Holy Father arrived in his Popemobile about 20 yards away. As he walked up to greet Cardinal Maida from the Archdiocese of Detroit ( he is the President of the Board of Directors) I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. I didn’t even have a camera with me (I’m sure I’ll get a photo or two from the professional photographers I worked with). When I met up with my colleagues inside after the ceremony one of them told me that the Holy Father walked right up to her and shook her hand and she couldn’t believe it. Many people have talked about a certain kind of aura that the Holy Father has, and she commented on it also.  How fortunate are we that we’ve had these opportunities this week!

Tomorrow, a wrap up of the week...