The Pope's Visit as Mega-Event

Will Pope Francis’ visit in D.C. draw the same number of fans as the Drake concert on the National Mall this weekend? Will those lining up for his benediction outnumber the people who turned out for runway absolution during New York Fashion Week? Is the pope a bigger deal than the Super Bowl? Are you ready for some Francis?

As His Holiness tours New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., this week, leaders in these cities are closing down roads, ratcheting up public transit, and saying their prayers as they prepare for a flood of visitors. Pilgrims following the pope will put different strains on each city. For New York and D.C., hosting Pope Francis may not be a huge ask. But in Philadelphia, his visit may very well go down as a mega-event—maybe the biggest event in city history.