Apr 17, 2008 11:05 pm US/Central
New York City Officially On Papal High Alert
Pope Benedict's First Stop: United Nations At 10:45 a.m.
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Pope Benedict XVI meets with schoolchildren after conducting mass in Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on April 17, 2008.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
The buzz is building across New York City. Pope Benedict XVI's historic visit is just hours away.
There was a security surge all over the city Thursday night. A frozen zone was being established around the United Nations, the pope's first stop after he arrives in town Friday morning.
The pontiff wrapped up his Washington visit Thursday with an extraordinary apology while praying with victims of the sex abuse scandal that has rocked the Catholic Church.
His day began with a packed, open-air mass celebrated in 10 languages in front of more than 46,000 people at Nationals Park.
On Friday the world's gaze will shift to New York City. The pope's journey begins when Shepherd 1, the pontiff's airplane, takes off from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
* The pontiff will arrive at JFK Airport at 9:45 a.m.
* He'll then head to the United Nations to address the General Assembly at 10:45 a.m.
* At 5:20 p.m., the pope will make history when he visits Park East Synagogue. It will mark the first time a pope has stepped into a Jewish house of worship in the U.S.
* At. 6 p.m., the pope will meet with leaders from other Christian denominations at the Church of St. Joseph in Yorkville. That church was founded by German Catholics in 1873.
At the Upper East Side home where the pope will eventually lay his head Friday night, the U.S. Secret Service and NYPD secret have created a fortress of security, making sure nothing happens to leader of the world's one billion Catholics.
"This will be akin to presidential security but in a way on a more sustained basis because the president usually comes here for a day perhaps," NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said. "He doesn't make public appearances in front of thousands of people."
But the pope does, hence the security challenge.
Earlier Thursday, U.S. Coast Guard patrol boats practiced shutting down the waters around the United Nations. Those who try to intrude will have this to deal with a modern battering ram.
"This is our last resort, but we have it; it's available to us," Coast Guard officer Dana Rocqio said. "We use it to stop their vessel. It will go through an engine block."
Come Friday, it'll be blocks of traffic at a standstill.
"Friday is gonna be a good Friday for New Yorkers, but it's gonna be a terrible Friday for drivers," former NYC Transportation Commissioner San Schwartz said.
That's because of all the road closures. When the pope comes to the U.N. to make a speech, between First and Second avenues from 42nd to 47th Street will be shut down as will the upper roadway at 48th Street. This will be in effect from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m.
And when the pope visits the Park East Synagogue and then does a prayer service at St. Joseph's Church, East 67th and 68th streets from Lexington to Third Avenues will be closed, along with East 87th from First Avenue to York. These closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Needless to say, on Friday it will be driver beware.
"The East Side will be completely bolloxed up so we have to move the traffic over to the West Side," Schwartz said. "Therefore, don't even drive into Manhattan. Don't even think of driving into Manhattan."
ALSO SEE:
More Papal Visit Coverage
U.S. Welcomes Pope Benedict XVI
Looking Back: Pope John Paul II's U.S. Visits
Pope Benedict XVI's Papacy Faces Modern World
Pope John Paul II Dies, Succeeded By Benedict XVI
Thursday, April 17: Mass In Nationals Park, Part 1
Thursday, April 17: Mass In Nationals Park, Part 2
Thursday, April 17: Mass In Nationals Park, Part 3
Thursday, April 17: Mass In Nationals Park, Part 4
Thursday, April 17: Mass In Nationals Park, Part 5
Thursday, April 17: Mass In Nationals Park, Part 6
Wednesday, April 16: Pope's Address To U.S. Bishops, Part 1
Wednesday, April 16: Pope's Address To U.S. Bishops, Part 2
Wednesday, April 16: Pope Benedict XVI Prays With U.S. Bishops
Wednesday, April 16: Thousands Greet Washington D.C. Parade
Wednesday, April 16: Pope Welcomed At White House
Tuesday, April 15: Pope's 'Shepherd One' Plane Arrives In U.S.
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