A Look At The List Of Prohibited Items For Papal Events
By Rahel Solomon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- After Pope Francis' trip to our nation's capitol, he'll visit New York City but it's his Philadelphia trip that's expected to draw the largest us crowds.
The crowds Saturday and Sunday are expected to be massive. But if you're planning to get anywhere close to the Pope, the Secret Service says pay very close attention to this list.
They're here from all around the world.
"I'm from Nigeria."
"I'm French."
"I live in Canada."
Tens of thousands are already in town for the world meeting of families but Saturday and Sunday, organizers expect as many as one million people if not more and security will be tight.
"I almost didn't come because the crowd size is a little intimidating but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Judy Harness of Ohio.
The list of 18 types of prohibited items includes back packs , balloons, drones, toy guns and selfie lovers -- no selfie sticks.
"Especially like selfie sticks, like everybody trying to take pictures and they're all in the way so when they said that you couldn't bring them to me it was really a good idea," said Else Aguilera of Texas.
The largest crowd is expected Sunday for Pope Francis' papal mass. Weather predictions say it may rain.
John Day from South Philadelphia says he's prepared.
"I'm bringing a poncho and a see through bag and hope for the best," said Day.
But if ponchos aren't your thing a spokesman for the Secret Service informed CBS 3 umbrellas will be allowed in the perimeter. So for folks like Graciela Gastelun who had to fundraise with her group to get here, she welcomes any rain and the security checkpoints. After all she's been planning for this since February .
"We know we can't bring a lot of things so we have our backpacks , the see through backpacks and just water I think and that's it," said Graciela Gastelun of Las Vegas.
The full list of prohibited items is below:
- Aerosols
- Ammunition
- Animals other than service/guide animals
- Backpacks and bags exceeding the size restrictions (18" x 13" x 7")
- Balloons
- Bicycles
- Hard Coolers (Soft-sided thermal coolers ARE allowed)
- Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
- Explosives
- Firearms
- Glass, thermal or metal containers
- Laser pointers
- Mace/Pepper spray
- Packages
- Selfie Sticks
- Signs exceeding the size restrictions (5' x 3' x 1/4") made of any material except cardboard, poster board or cloth
- Structures
- Supports for signs and placards
- Toy guns
- Weapons of any kind
- Any other items determined to be a potential safety hazard
