Ticketing System Being Explored For Pope Francis' Speech At Independence Hall
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is involved in talks to determine whether a ticketing system should be put into place for those who want to attend Pope Francis' Saturday September 26th Speech at Independence Mall.
With safety and security key priorities, the Archdiocese says it's in discussions with the U.S. Secret Service, the National Park Service, and the City of Philadelphia to explore the possibility of a ticketing system for the Pope's speech at Independence Mall.
There are more than 1.5 million papal pilgrims expected in the city and the mall can only hold 25 to 30 thousand people.
Archdiocese spokesman Kenneth Gavin says they are looking into a variety of options on how people can access the site.
"We are looking at ticketing at maybe certain areas, but others that would be open to the public. The final decisions on that haven't been made yet, but everything is in progress there."
If tickets are required or even partial ticketing in certain zones, how they would be distributed is also undecided.
The Archdiocese says all those who attend events, whether at Independence Hall or on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, will be able to view multiple events with the help of giant monitors.
Organizers say both the Festival of Families on Saturday, September 26th on the parkway and the Papal Mass on Sunday, September 27th will offer opportunities for large numbers of people to see the Holy Father.
