NEW YORK — Irene Villacci and Donna Amato boarded a train from Long Island at 7:15 a.m Friday. They arrived at Central Park at 10 a.m. and began waiting on line on Central Park West. They got into the park and 11:15 a.m. And then they waited behind a barricade. "We stood there and didn't leave our spots until...
NEW YORK -- Irene Villacci and Donna Amato boarded a train from Long Island at 7:15 a.m Friday. They arrived at Central Park at 10 a.m. and began waiting on line on Central Park West. They got into the park and 11:15 a.m. And then they waited behind a barricade.
"We stood there and didn't leave our spots until we saw him," Villacci said.
"Him" is Pope Francis, whose motorcade traveled through Central Park on the way to delivering Mass at Madison Square Garden.
Villacci, Amato and thousands of others endured more than hour-long waits on lines snaking up and down Central Park West, TSA screenings, and for anyone who actually wanted a good spot, hours more standing until the pope arrived just after 5 p.m.
MORE: Profit from the pontiff: Street vendors capitalize on pope's visit
All that for perhaps for two minutes of seeing Pope Francis wave from his Popemobile.
Why?
"I think having Pope Francis here is really inspiring," said Carol Collins. "It's sort of the last hope of the world that we can finally find a solution to our problems, which are many."
The joy that awaits those blessed to have a ticket to see Pope Francis in Central Park. pic.twitter.com/OH8GAD0tWR
— Myles Ma (@MylesMaNJ) September 25, 2015Giovannie Etienne, of Brooklyn, secured a spot for herself and her two-week old daughter Gianna right along the barricade. They waited five hours, no easy task with an infant, in hope of receiving the pope's blessing.
They didn't make eye contact, but his presence was enough, Etienne said.
"It's just a pleasure to be here," she said. "It's once in a lifetime."
Pope Francis waved at Villacci.
"They tell me he did," the 51-year-old said. "I was too busy holding up my phone and hip-checking the lady next to me."
"He's such a great pope," Amato said. She noted his focus on poverty, and message of love for all. She added, "For 78, he looks fantastic."
Villacci said it was worth the wait.
"If you want me to wait another 7 hours, I will," she said. "If he's going to come here after MSG, let's do it. Just please, can I have dinner and sit down?"
Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
No comments:
Post a Comment