By Nick Manetto

Washington rolls out red carpet for Pope Benedict

The pontiff's weeklong visit to nation's capital and New York takes months of planning on both sides of the Atlantic

How do you distribute holy Communion to 45,000 worshippers within 20 minutes?

What does it take to convert a still under-construction facility designed for homerun-hitting sluggers into a holy space for prayerful pilgrims in less than three days?

These are but some of the many logistical challenges officials in the Archdiocese of Washington have spent the past six months resolving as they prepare for Pope Benedict XVI's first visit to the United States as pontiff, a journey that will include his first-ever public event in the country when he celebrates Mass before more than 45,000 faithful on April 17.

The Archdiocese of New York is addressing the same mind-boggling challenges as that city prepares for the pope's events there -- including Mass at Yankee Stadium -- later in his April 15-20 visit to the United States.

Logistical challenges

Pope Benedict's visit began taking shape at the Vatican last year. A papal visit typically begins with invitations from the country's government and bishops' conference. If a major international agency like the United Nations is involved, a third invitation is needed.

Archdiocesan preparations for the pontiff's visit began in late summer, months before the visit was announced in November. According to archdiocesan spokeswoman Susan Gibbs, the most significant challenge early on was selecting a suitable venue.

In planning the trip, Vatican officials give particular attention to how much the pope will interact with crowds during the visit. Too much crowd immersion can tire a pope, but they also do not want him to be isolated from the people who came to see him.

When Pope John Paul II visited Washington in 1979, he celebrated Mass on the National Mall. But nearly 30 years later, this hallmark space was ruled out for a variety of reasons, including security challenges, rush-hour weekday traffic during a busy tourist season and a price tag of a half-million dollars alone for an adequate audio system.

The city's basketball and hockey arena would only accommodate about 20,000 attendees, and the 90,000-plus seat FedEx Field in suburban Maryland is not easily accessible.

Thankfully, owners of the Washington Nationals baseball team had gotten wind of the potential papal visit and made the still-being built Nationals Park available. But having a venue still under construction has made for some complications, including lack of access for planning purposes and even a delay in knowing the finite number of tickets that would be made available after the fire marshal determined a permitted capacity.

Designing the liturgy

Once the venue was selected, attention turned to the liturgy, a task overseen by Archbishop Donald Wuerl and Father Mark Knestout, the archdiocese's director of the Office of Worship.

"We deliberately fashioned a liturgy so that it is really reflective of the enormous cosmopolitan tradition and faith of the Church," Archbishop Wuerl said, noting that the liturgy would include a variety of languages.

The Vatican has approved the liturgy, and the archdiocese has coordinated activities with papal Master of Ceremonies Msgr. Guido Marini.

For Father Knestout, a major challenge has been ensuring a prayerful experience for all attendees.

"This whole thing has to take place all within two hours," he said. "First with the venue itself, how do you do a Mass of this size with 46,000 people and make it beautiful and worthy and by following the rubric? Trying to put together a reverent Mass in a place not built for Mass is the greatest challenge."

Building a church

While Father Mark Knestout has been tasked with all things liturgy, another Knestout -- older brother Msgr. Barry Knestout, the archdiocese's vicar for administration -- has been point person on a number of logistical issues associated with the visit.

He developed and oversaw the altar-design contest won by two Catholic University of America architecture students, and will be overseeing the altar's construction. Deacon David Cahoon of St. Mary's Parish in Barnesville, Md., a skilled carpenter who owns his own shop, will build it.

All of the installation and set up must take place in less than three days. "How do you build a church in 24 hours? We take possession of the stadium on Monday [April 14] and the Mass is on Thursday," Gibbs noted.

A lasting impact

Education and history are two constant themes sewn into the planning process.

The program that will be distributed to attendees will include a mini-catechesis, explaining each component of the Mass and why actions are occurring.

The vestments being specially made for the pope and concelebrating cardinals, bishops and priests will incorporate the Crossland family cross, which traces its roots to the founding families of Maryland.

But when all is said and done and the smell of incense gives way to that of hot dogs, and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" replaces holy music, Archbishop Wuerl is confident the impact of the pope's visit will be long-lasting based on the enthusiasm generated to date:

"We're very happy to have the pope come, but the fact is that his presence here confirms the sense of renewal and growth of faith in the Archdiocese."

Nick Manetto writes from Virginia. CNS contributed to this story.