Arkansans line up for peek at pontiff

WASHINGTON -- Arkansans flocked to the White House, to Catholic University and to a parade route in downtown Washington on Wednesday, hoping to catch a glimpse of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

They encountered long lines, heavy security and a protester or two as they wandered through the city during Pope Francis' first visit to the United States.

Former Little Rock resident Lauren Carter got up hours before dawn, arriving at the White House around 4 a.m. to get a choice spot from which to glimpse the Holy Father.

The former UA political science student claimed a space on the president's lawn, standing nearly five hours before Francis finally arrived Wednesday.

"I've never done this," Carter, 27, said. "I came to the inauguration back in [2013], but it wasn't this early and I don't think the wait was this long."

An employee at the Department of Labor -- and a Methodist -- Carter said she had arrived to admire the bishop of Rome. "I just like the pope and all the things he stands for and how he's trying to make positive change."

She wasn't the only Arkansan trying to beat the crowds.

Tim Gorman, a member of St. Vincent de Paul parish in Rogers, awoke at 2 a.m. and arrived outside the White House at 3 a.m. when there were only about 100 people in line.

A friend helped him get tickets, and he flew from Northwest Arkansas so he could witness history.

"It's the experience of a lifetime, and it's a real blessing to be here," Gorman said.

Carter and Gorman were among 11,000 people to receive tickets to the ceremony welcoming Pope Francis to the White House on Wednesday morning.

While they patiently waited for the pope's arrival, Will Jennings was busy circulating among the White House media corps, making sure the television cameras were set up to capture the historic meeting and broadcast it around the world.

"It's just a huge week for the White House," he said.

Jennings, who grew up in Little Rock and graduated from the University of Arkansas, has helped organize other big events, including the 2012 Democratic National Convention and a presidential inaugural parade. He works for Washington-based communications firm Glover Park Group.

The 31-year-old graduate of Little Rock's Catholic High School described himself as "agnostic-secular," but said he was glad to volunteer his time to help make Pope Francis' appearance a success.

"It's obviously historic, and he is somebody who inspires not only Catholics, but people of other faiths. It's something that's good to be a part of and share with other people," he said.

Another Arkansas resident in Washington for the papal visit is the Rev. Anthony Taylor, bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock.

Late Wednesday morning, he joined roughly 300 other American bishops at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle for a midday prayer service. In the afternoon, he headed to Catholic University of America for the Mass of Canonization of Blessed Junipero Serra.

The Mass was "a joyful time of celebrating the faith and a time to challenge us to live our faith, embrace the Lord's mercy and bring that mercy to others," Taylor said.

The pope's message stirs people, Taylor said, because it echoes the teachings of Jesus, rather than reflecting "the secular vision that is so dominant in our culture."

"The Holy Father calls us to live for something bigger than ourselves and not to live for our own self-interest but with a concern for the common good and the good of all," Taylor said.

Pope Francis has "a special concern for those who don't count, who fall through the cracks, a special concern for immigrants, for instance. ... The parts of the flock that get neglected," Taylor said.

People began lining sidewalks just south of the White House before dawn to see Francis pass in the "popemobile" during a parade from the White House to the National Mall, along Constitution Avenue and back toward the White House.

Charles Davidson, 30, and Abby Davidson, 27, who recently moved to Washington from Fayetteville, reached the parade route by 8:30 a.m. to see Francis.

They aren't Catholic, but they like his message.

"The things that he says really resonate with what we believe," Charles Davidson said. "He demonstrates humility and love as a prerequisite for everybody. He's obviously teaching people to love everybody else."

Some people carried guitars and tambourines, and groups sang to pass the time. Many prayed or napped. Others perched on railings or trash cans for hours to ensure that they had a clear view when the pontiff passed. The parade is the only papal event in Washington that didn't require a ticket.

Guneev Sharma, 20, of Hot Springs isn't Catholic, but he didn't want to miss the "once in a lifetime opportunity" to see the pope. Sharma, a Hendrix College junior studying political science, is interning at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education this semester.

He likes Francis' positions on climate change, on helping the poor and on income inequality.

"He's really plucking at our heartstrings," Sharma said. "It's great that he's finally bringing this to light and championing this."

By the time Pope Francis' vehicle passed, thousands of people from around the country were pressed against the barricades. Flags were waved, and cellphones were held in the air to snap photos. More than a handful of people cried.

Brian Bennett, 45, of Little Rock grew up Catholic and wanted his son Jack, 15, to have a "historic experience." The two were in Washington for a Joe Walsh concert Wednesday night and decided to stop by the parade.

"It's very special for [Jack] and for me to have him here. The pope doesn't make it to U.S. soil very often," Bennett said. "It was a bucket-list experience for me."

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., is a Southern Baptist and was among lawmakers who made the journey from Capitol Hill to Pennsylvania Avenue.

"I'm not Catholic, but I am interested in what the leaders of the nation and our world have to say about things, and he is the pope after all, and I found it to be a very enlightening and very intriguing activity," Womack said. "It's one of the things that I'll talk about for a long time, I'm sure, [and] share with my grandkids."

Womack said it was a special day, not just because he saw the pope, but because he was able to share the experience with a Catholic Arkansan: Rex Barrett of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership, based in Cave Springs.

The congressman also got a smartphone snapshot with Eva Longoria, one of the stars of Desperate Housewives.

What was the actress like?

"Oh man, couldn't have been friendlier," Womack said.

Metro on 09/24/2015