Preparations For A Pope: Behind The Scenes Of The Papal Visit
By Mark Abrams
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Fred Stein was truly the man behind the scenes for the visit of Pope Francis.
The founder and executive producer of the Creative Group in Philadelphia had to keep it that way because of the high-profile events he was working to set up.
Stein was awarded a contract by the World Meeting of Families, Philadelphia, to help arrange the logistics - except security- for all events involving the pope's visit except for the Festival of Families and the papal Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
"Nothing was made public until very late in the game - for good reason - the Vatican had to confirm everything else that was being done," said Stein.
Stein helped papal planners from the Vatican identify sites his top aides felt would give Francis access to the people as well as set the stage for his message.
Stein says, people who want to come see the pope in Philadelphia can still do it - they just have to prepare.
"My recommendation just as a Philadelphian is plan on a specific location that you want to go to," said Stein.
Stein laughs at the nay-sayers whom he says will regret not being here to witness history.
"All those people in Center City who want to leave town, you know, guess what, this is a great time to be in town," said Stein.
