Accession Number

B613

Series Title

HOMEGROUND

Programme Title

THE POPE AND THE POLICE

Producer

Tony Broughton

Other Credits

Editor: Ken Langston Jones

Transmission Date

30/07/82

colour , sound (sep), 30 mins 34 secs

Synopsis

B613/1: Follows the policing of the Papal visit to Heaton Park, when Pope John Paul II celebrated mass on 31 May 1982. Includes shots of the police holding a conference before the event. During the visit itself, there are scenes of people being tended to by the St John's Ambulance Brigade, lost children being looked after by police, police handling telephone calls at the Police Operations Headquarters at St. Peter's RC High School, Prestwich (now St Monica's), officers eating in the police meal tent and crowds of people waiting for the Pope to arrive. A senior policeman describes the problems arising from the smaller-than-expected crowds. Police briefings during the event are shown, where security and logistical issues are discussed by police. Pope John Paul II is seen waving to crowds from a truck accompanied by an entourage and giving a huge open-air mass to the crowds. 30m34s