Pope Francis in New York City: NYPD planning to tackle security challenges

PHILADELPHIA (WABC) -- Pope Francis' first visit to New York City is just a few weeks away, and the NYPD has been busy figuring out how to protect the pontiff.

And that promises to be a monumental and logistical challenge for both city and federal security officials.

"The NYPD faces one of the most significantly challenging security environments, maybe in the history of major policing," NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism John Miller said.

The pope's visit will be, as NYPD officials reveal, a national special security event. That's a federal designation where the Secret Service will be the lead organization for coordination. But it will fall on the NYPD to provide the manpower.

"You could be dealing with between 3,000 and 5,000 police officers assigned to the UN General Assembly," Miller said. "Handling the president of the United States and handling the pope."

In just more than one day's time, the pope will visit a number of Manhattan sites, including Madison Square Garden, St. Patrick's Cathedral and the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

And one of the biggest security challenges will be a procession by Pope Francis through Central Park, allowing many people to line the West Drive to see him.

"Obviously, it is a complicated logistical situation," Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "But we have made the decision to do something that I think has not been done before, and we are very excited about it. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see his holiness in Central Park with a procession."

And keeping with his wishes, the pontiff also wants to enjoy the presence of as many people as possible.

"While we have to secure the visit, we also have to keep it as open and viable to allow the real purpose of his trip to flourish in there," Miller said.

The NYPD is also closely collaborating with police in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., cities where the pope is also visiting. They also stress that preparedness and security measures are changing all the time.