Waiting for Francis

  • September 29, 2015
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  • by Ed Kashi

They came from all walks of life, all religions, socio-economic levels and ages, to see Pope Francis on his first visit to the United States as pope. For most people, Francis’ visit was characterized by waiting, waiting, and more waiting. Pope Francis has developed a dedicated and fascinated fan base, far beyond devout Catholics. Although his tenure as pope is still in its early days, he’s as much a revered political figure as a religious one. His progressive views place him outside of the papacy, which is certainly a first in modern times. The images in this essay were made in New York and Philadelphia, where hundreds of thousands of followers waited patiently, often to no avail. And yet there was nobody who wouldn’t have done it all over again.

Pope Francis memorabilia for sale during the papal visit of Pope Francis to the World Trade Center in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

Onlookers wait for the arrival of Pope Francis during the papal visit of Pope Francis to the World Trade Center in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

Onlookers await the arrival of Pope Francis during the papal visit of Pope Francis to the World Trade Center in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

Onlookers wait inside and outside for the arrival of Pope Francis during the papal visit of Pope Francis to Harlem in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

A man sells papal merchandise while a woman rests during the papal visit of Pope Francis to the World Trade Center in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

An onlooker waves a flag during the papal visit of Pope Francis to the World Trade Center in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

Onlookers wait for the arrival of Pope Francis during the papal visit of Pope Francis to the World Trade Center in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

A woman prays with her rosary beads during the papal visit of Pope Francis to the World Trade Center in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

Onlookers wait the arrival of Pope Francis during the papal visit of Pope Francis to Harlem in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

Onlookers crowd the sidewalks during the papal visit of Pope Francis to the World Trade Center in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

Vendors and onlookers wait for the arrival of Pope Francis in the morning before the papal visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia, Pa. on Sept. 26, 2015.

Onlookers wait for the arrival of Pope Francis during the papal visit of Pope Francis to the World Trade Center in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

Spectators wait for the arrival of Pope Francis during the papal visit of Pope Francis to the World Trade Center in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

Onlookers wait for the arrival of Pope Francis during the papal visit of Pope Francis to the World Trade Center in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

A man sells papal memorabilia during the papal visit of Pope Francis to the World Trade Center in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

Onlookers wait for the arrival of Pope Francis during the papal visit of Pope Francis to the World Trade Center in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

Onlookers wait for the arrival of Pope Francis during the papal visit of Pope Francis to the World Trade Center in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

Onlookers wait to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis during the papal visit of Pope Francis to the World Trade Center in New York City, N.Y. on Sept. 25, 2015.

Young priests carry a cardboard cut-out of Pope Francis during the papal visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia, Pa. on Sept. 26, 2015.

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