City To Announce Winners Of Tickets To Pope's Central Park Procession
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York City will announce who has won tickets to see Pope Francis' procession through Central Park later this month.
The winners are set to be revealed Thursday. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday that more than 93,000 people entered the lottery online or by calling 311. Eighty thousand people are expected to attend the procession -- lottery winners will receive two tickets each.
"The overwhelming response we received from New Yorkers throughout the state made clear: Pope Francis is one of the world's most important voices, and his historic visit to New York City will be an unforgettable experience," de Blasio said in a news release. "We're grateful to the archdiocese for their cooperation in giving even more New Yorkers a chance to join in this historic visit."
The pope will greet ticket holders during his procession on Central Park's West Drive between 72nd and 60th Street on Friday, Sept. 25.
The event will take place while the pontiff is en route from Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Elementary School in East Harlem to Mass at Madison Square Garden.
The city says ticket holders must have valid identification and said guests will have to enter through an assigned security gate starting at 11 a.m. All guests must be at their assigned gate no later than 3:30 p.m.
For more information about the pope's Central Park procession, click here.
While in town, Francis will also attend evening prayer at St. Patrick's Cathedral, address the United Nations General Assembly and host an interfaith service at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, meanwhile, is gearing up for the additional riders headed into the city to see the pope.
The Long Island Rail Road will add eight more trains in the morning, and the Metro-North will have three additional morning trains, MTA spokesman Adam Lisberg told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell.
The MTA will also have trains queued up for outbound service.
Extra Trains Being During Pope's Visit
Lisberg said Penn Station will remain open.
"When the pope is at Madison Square Garden, which is directly above Penn Station, there may be some closures to entrances and exits into Penn Station," Lisberg warned.
Subways will be running regularly, but some buses will have to be rerouted where streets are closed for security reasons.
There will also be extra PATH service.
"We are proud to host Pope Francis here in New York, and we are working to expand mass transit options to ensure that everyone can travel safely and securely during this time," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a news release. "I encourage anyone planning to be in New York City at that time to plan ahead and check the new travel schedules."
To see a complete schedule of the pope's upcoming visit, click here.
