Why Flock To The Papal Parade? Hope & Love Take Many Shapes

By Kylie Mohr / NPR

Published September 23, 2015 at 1:28 PM PDT

This story was published more than 9 years ago.

Crowds gather in the early morning hours near the eastern entrance of the Ellipse for the papal parade.

Spectators claim their spots along the papal parade route, with the Washington Monument as a backdrop.

Seven-year-olds Lucas Jefferson (center) and Rafael Xeleya draw on a poster for Pope Francis while waiting for the parade to start.

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Security keeps spectators off the parade route on Constitution Avenue before the papal parade begins.

Patricia Briceno raises the Peruvian and Vatican flags on Constitution Avenue. "Peru is with him, and we love him," said Briceno, who is Peruvian.

Spectators anticipate Pope Francis' arrival on Constitution Avenue during the papal parade.

A cutout of Pope Francis attracted people who wanted their picture taken with the pontiff.

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Women stake a claim along Constitution Avenue to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis during the papal parade in Washington, D.C.

Eager people from all around the world packed the National Mall in Washington on Wednesday in hopes of seeing Pope Francis. The papal parade, the only nonticketed event on the docket for the pope's visit to the nation's capital, drew tens of thousands of people.

Many pope-watchers expected pandemonium along the 20-minute-long route, but instead they were greeted by a mellow, loving crowd that used words such as "humbling" and "compassionate" to describe the pontiff. Pope Francis received thunderous applause as he stopped the procession to kiss babies and even bless a young girl who managed to get outside the police barricade. He traveled in a modified Jeep Popemobile, open on both sides to allow unobstructed views.

Why brave the throngs of people and the early morning alarm to see the pope? We asked some of the spectators why they came and what makes the pope special to them.

Vesta Partovi contributed to this report.