WATCH ABOVE: Pope Francis makes his first visit to the United States next week. Tens of thousands of tickets were given out for free, but scalpers are now trying to sell them for a huge price. Aarti Pole reports.
NEW YORK – Getting tickets to see Pope Francis was the easy part.
Being among the 80,000 New Yorkers who won a lottery for a spot on the pope’s’ motorcade route through Central Park means they will have to endure long lines, tight security and hours of waiting before the pontiff even gets there. And they’ll do it without being allowed the comfort of chairs, blankets, coolers or umbrellas.
For Suleyma Cuellar, who snagged tickets for her and her mother, it will all be worth it if she can catch even a fleeting glimpse of Francis.
“It’s like seeing Jesus walk by,” said the20-year-old after-school robotics program instructor from East Harlem.
The pope’s 12-block processional along Central Park’s West Drive on Friday was a late addition to his schedule after morning appearances at the United Nations and the Sept. 11 museum and before an evening Mass at Madison Square Garden.
Diana Torres of Queens said finding out that she was among those selected to get the tickets was a blessing. “I want to go so badly, I asked for this, I put my name on it, I prayed on it,” she said.
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The 53-year-old volunteer religious instructor said she chose to bring her son’s fiance with her, a decision that wasn’t met with universal approval from others around her.
“There was a family member who was very upset … but I feel OK,” Torres said.
The controversy over the tickets hasn’t been limited to irate relatives. Only New York state residents were allowed to apply for the ticket lottery, and almost as soon as winners were notified ads began appearing on eBay and Craigslist offering to sell pairs of tickets for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
“To attempt to resell the tickets and profit from his time in New York goes against everything Pope Francis stands for,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan said in a statement.
Those who do go have a list of rules to follow, starting with having to enter the area via assigned security gates. The pope isn’t scheduled to make his processional until 5 p.m., but the gates will be open at 11 a.m. and people have to be there by 3:30 p.m.
Attendees can bring water and snacks, personal cameras and strollers for small children, but that’s it. The list of prohibited items includes alcohol, large bags, signs, and of course, no selfie sticks or drones.
WATCH: U.S. officials reviewing, finalizing security for Pope’s arrival
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