Anticipation and activity on board Papal Plane

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has now landed in Cuba, but what is it like to be on board the Papal Plane? The Head of Vatican Radio's English Programme, Seàn Patrick Lovett is travelling with the Pope and gives his first hand account of activity on board that flight from Rome to Havana.

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As you board the papal plane (which isn’t really a papal plane at all since the Pope doesn’t own a plane), the first impression is that you are going on a college field trip. The atmosphere among the 76 media professionals covering the trip is electric. Veteran journalists entertain their younger colleagues with anecdotes of past papal pilgrimages (recalling how, before the era of mobile connectivity, they had to race one another to the nearest phone booth to file their stories - and how they used to hang “out of order” signs on them to gain an advantage). Others just tease the air hostesses about whether the water they’re being offered is “holy water”, or express sincere concern about which toilets are reserved for the cardinals in the entourage.

As you take off, the flippancy transforms into a buzz of anticipation. That’s partly because all those covering the trip actually enjoy doing what they do. But also because they know that, shortly after take-off, Pope Francis will come back to the journalists’ section of the plane to greet them individually. Photographers jostle for the best positions, some experiment with smartphone apps (like SnapShot), others take out their selfie-sticks.  

And, all of a sudden, there he is. Pope Francis also looks pleased to be here, even a little excited about the prospect of this (as he reminds us) his longest international voyage yet. The first thing he does is thank us for the work we do to help him in his mission. He tells us how the world is yearning for peace and how important it is for each one of us to be a small bridge that contributes to building that peace. He looks moved when he mentions how, before he left Vatican City in the morning, he met with one of the refugee families that is being hosted there. He calls it an emotional encounter. Then he makes his way through the cabin, meeting and greeting, chuckling and chatting, with each and every person there.

Eleven and a half hours later, the seatbelt sign comes on again, the plane is about to land, and the atmosphere among the journalists changes dramatically: everyone is galvanized into action. Traditionally it’s the camera crews and photographers who, for obvious reasons, are off the plane first - then print journalists, then members of the entourage last.

And there, on the humid tarmac (45° and rising), above the roar of the 21-gun salute and over the crashing drums and symbols of the military bands - a universal cry can be heard: “Anyone getting wi-fi?”