Eight months ago, Raynell Bennett, Director of Planning, Evaluation and Operations for the U.S. Capitol, received a telephone call that would keep her office and many others throughout the capitol campus very busy.

Pope Francis accepted an invitation from Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner to address a joint session of Congress, and nearly every Architect of the Capitol (AOC) mission area would be called upon to support the visit. "It was a great opportunity for multiple jurisdictions within the AOC to work together. We treated the preparation aspects of his visit much like a rehearsal for the next inauguration," said Bennett.

 

Capitol Grounds crew prepares the campus for the Pope's arrival.

The Office of Security Programs partnered with the United States Capitol Police to install anti-scale fencing, bike racks, and concrete barriers to ensure a secure perimeter and proper crowd flow.

The Capitol Electric Branch and multiple shops within the Electronic Engineering Branch ran cables and connections to power microphones and large television screens to ensure that the public would be able to hear and see the joint session.

 

When the decision was made that Pope Francis would address the crowds assembled along the West Front, the Capitol Building Carpentry Shop built a platform for the Pontiff to stand on so that the crowds below could see him. The Capitol Building Sheet Metal Shop constructed a safety bannister that seamlessly matched the ornate railing of the Speaker's balcony.

Employees and volunteers with the Capitol Visitor Center provided planning support and wayfinding, in addition to escorting guests the day of the visit.

 

The Capitol Building Paint Branch puts the finishing touches on the safety bannister.

Always committed to documenting the history of the Capitol, the Architect of the Capitol Photo Branch coordinated with engineers to capture the Pontiff's view of the West Lawn as he stepped out onto the balcony. The Capitol Sheet Metal Shop created a camera bridge that hung at the top of the doorframe. AOC shared the bridge with four additional cameras, all documenting the historic event on the balcony.

By all accounts, the Pope's visit to the Capitol was a success. In the words of Bennett, "if you can envision it; our people can make it happen."

 

Add new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
About text formats

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.

Our Stories

Recent Articles

Two people looking at film.
Behind the Scenes

Meet the Team: Photography and Technical Imaging Branch

The Photography and Technical Imaging Branch (PTIB) is responsible for the documentation of the historical buildings and grounds under the care of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) and capturing the historic events within those spaces.
Person standing next to shelves.
Behind the Scenes

Leading by Example

Charles "Doc" Wheatley, Assistant Supervisor of the Capitol Building Plumbing Shop's evening shift, has been a constant presence on the Capitol campus since 1987. That's when he accepted his first government position and began a decades-long career serving this treasured institution.
Two people looking at a control panel.
Behind the Scenes

Ducts in a Row

The experts at the House Mechanic Shop meticulously oversee campus HVAC systems, ensuring building temperatures are optimal for both daily operations and historic preservation.

More Stories