North Texans travel to D.C., NYC and Philly to see the pope

Maybe it was divine intervention.

Kerry and Jeff Pickett bought tickets months ago to see a Tedeschi Trucks concert at the Beacon Theater in New York, not knowing it would be on the same day Pope Francis was in the same city.

It was “very much a coincidence,” said Kerry Pickett, of Fort Worth. “The pope is an added bonus.”

The Picketts are among the North Texans who made their way to Washington, D.C., New York and Philadelphia — either by design or coincidence — this week during Pope Francis’ visit.

As the Picketts flew in to New York Friday morning, travel in the city slowed down and security stepped up around the pope’s activities, which included meeting with the U.S. General Assembly, conducting a multifaith service at the 9-11 memorial Museum and celebrating Mass at Madison Square Garden.

“We knew traffic would be an issue, but also knew that it would be a very exciting time to be in New York and, who knows, we might just get a glimpse of him,” said Kerry Picket, who was born and raised Baptist. “He’s a special man and it would be thrilling to see him.

“He’s made such an impact worldwide.”

Washington, D.C.

Carol Roark was among the thousands on the Capitol’s West Lawn who saw the pope’s speech to Congress Thursday broadcast on jumbotrons.

Many took pictures in front of the Capitol and got to know people around them. A popular joke was that Fiat sales will go up now that Pope Francis rode in a Fiat when he first arrived in Washington, D.C.

“Everyone was so upbeat and thoughtful,” said Roark, wife of former state Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth. “It was a very joyful kind of crowd.”

And the moment Pope Francis was seen on the jumbotron, the crowd started cheering and clapping.

Roark, who is not Catholic, said she was glad to witness the historic event.

“He’s a world leader,” she said. “He has an important message, whether or not you agree with him. We are all better off when we listen.”

Andrew Hartman was all ears as he waited across town in D.C. Thursday for a chance to see the pope.

The Texas Christian University graduate was among the Catholic Charities employees gathered at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, waiting for Pope Francis to come by to help feed the homeless.

When the pope walked in, the room exploded with energy, said Hartman, 47, who lived in Fort Worth from fourth grade through college graduation in 1990.

“People were standing on pews, there were cries of ‘Papa, Papa,’ clapping and so much joy,” said Hartman, who now lives in Washington, D.C. “He made his way down the aisle slowly.

“He blessed everyone.”

They weren’t sure what the pope would do during the visit, but he gave a homily about how children are special and the people who work at Catholic Charities are important to making the world a better place.

“It was absolutely amazing,” said Hartman, a Methodist. “His message is for everybody. It’s about loving each other and being good stewards of the earth.”

Hartman, a special education teacher with the Kennedy School of Catholic Charities, was there with some students and fellow teachers.

But he hadn’t forgotten those who didn’t get to witness the historic visit.

Word is that anything on a person in the presence of the pope is blessed, so Hartman had 130 tiny crosses in his pocket to give to students who weren’t able to see Pope Francis.

Philadelphia

Lisa Arth — along with thousands of others gathered at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia — is still waiting for her chance to see the pope.

Banners with the pope’s likeness and sayings are posted around town and pope memorabilia — T-shirts, dolls, hats, banners, flags, scarves and more — is popping up everywhere.

Officials late Thursday started shutting down parts of the city, including the area where Lisa Arth and her husband, Mike, had an exhibit booth set up for the conference.

The Southlake woman said it’s very exciting waiting for Pope Francis to join the estimated crowd of 10,000 at the conference.

“Everything he is saying is leading up to this culmination,” she said. “We are very excited to greet him here.

“I’m not sure what to expect, but it’s going to be a wonderful thing.”

This story was originally published September 25, 2015 at 4:36 PM with the headline "North Texans travel to D.C., NYC and Philly to see the pope."