As noted in a previous post, covering papal trips involves myriad details which often don't go according to plan. Well, the media "nightmare" has already started for me.
Our chancery office called this morning to say that the tickets for the New York Mass will not be mailed out of New York until Thursday, April 10. Well, as a journalist I'm heading out to D.C. on Monday, April 14th. So, the tickets leave New York on April 10, probably arriving in our chancery office on Saturday or Monday (the day I depart). Then the chancery mails it to me, for it to arrive on Wednesday, April 16, while I'm in D.C. What are the chances that the tickets, being sent via U.S. Postal Service will reach a chancery in the midwest before the date I leave? Very unlikely, I'd say.
I can't be the only person who hopes to attend the Mass, but is leaving early. I suspect there may be quite a few others upset with the lateness of all this.
Of course, I have a call into the New York Papal Visit office to inquire if it's at all possible to pick the ticket up in person to avoid it being mailed, but haven't had a response yet.
So, there you have it. The joys of managing the details of a papal visit, if you're able to cover it all...
Still, I'm thankful I can attend any of the events. If you wouldn't mind, say a prayer on my behalf. And if you work with the Archdiocese of New York and are reading this, please give me a call.
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