Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Speaks with NY-1's Zack Fink About The Papal Visit

September 24, 2015

Pat Kiernan: Pope Francis is coming to the city later today – set to arrive at JFK airport later this afternoon. He’ll head immediately to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for a prayer service, and then onto the papal residence on the Upper East Side. NY-1’s Zack Fink joins us now with more on what the city is doing to prepare. They’ve been preparing for weeks and now the day has arrived. Zack, good morning.

Zack Fink: Well, good morning, Pat – and certainly a lot of security preparations, but there are other preparations as well that are going on here in the city. We’re very honored to be joined by Mayor Bill de Blasio now who’s going to talk to us a little bit about this excitement. And mayor, let me, first of all, thank you for being with us. Let me start with that point just about what New Yorkers can expect these couple of day. 

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Inspiration – that’s what they can expect. It’s going to be an amazing few days in this city. I don’t think there’s a stronger moral voice on this earth than Pope Francis. And what he is saying is really moving people to action. Whether it is on issues of social inclusion, economic fairness, addressing poverty, addressing climate change – his voice is resonating. Obviously in Washington we’re seeing already he’s making a big impact on the discussions there. So, I think people expect a few days that’ll be historic and have a lasting impact. And then in terms of logistics, we all know as New Yorkers, when we have dignitaries come to town – there’ll be some street closures, there’ll be some delays. From what I’ve heard from New Yorkers, they’re more than ready for that and they understand it is such an honor to have Pope Francis with us. It’s more than worth it. Security preparations have been fantastic – NYPD doing what it knows how to do so well in close cooperation with the FBI and the Secret Service. So, I think it’s going to be an extraordinary moment for New York City. 

Fink: Obviously, a lot of Catholic New Yorkers, but a lot of New Yorkers of other faiths, people who may not even believe in much at all in terms of religion – what do you say to them in terms of the Pope’s message and how it’s appealing on a kind of universal level?

Mayor: It is appealing on a universal level. And I have to say, I think he’s the strongest moral voice in the world – I really do. And I think his voice and his ideas have touched people across all faiths, all nations. He’s calling us to recognize our common humanity. And what he has done – I don’t think I can think of a parallel in recent history – the way he has unified, the way – with his own humility, but also his urgency in calling us to action. He’s really moved people’s hearts and minds. I think you see it around the globe. I think he’s one of the reasons why some changes are starting to happen. I certainly talked a lot about the question of inequality and income inequality. I think the Pope’s message has been one of the reasons why action is happening around this country on that front. So, I would say he has a particular ability to unify, while also reminding us there’s real work to be done. And I think that’s going to be good for us. 

Fink: Let me ask you just about religion. I know you grew up around some of this. How does it appeal to you? And does being in this situation kind of bring some of that back from your childhood even?

Mayor: Well, look, I wasn’t brought up in the Catholic Church, but I come from a Catholic family. My great uncle was a priest, and I always had a lot of respect for the church and what it meant. I think Pope Francis for many, many Catholics has been an energizing figure. For many Catholics I’ve certainly talked to, he’s intensifying their connection to the church. But I think for folks who happen not to be Catholic, he’s giving them a deeper connection on a spiritual level even beyond Christianity. For me, personally, it’s been an inspiring time. And it’s been a reminder of the power of the Christian message and how it tells us to treat each other and to work together. But, again, this is a Pope – and it’s so fascinating when he was in Argentina as a leader of the church there – who was known for working with people of all faiths – very close to the Jewish community there, very close to Cristian communities that weren’t Catholic. So, he has a great ability to inspire people in terms of the message of his religion, while also calling people to work together across all religions. That’s an extraordinary combination, and that’s why I think he’s going to have a particular impact by being here in this city today. 

Fink: That’s what we’ve been hearing a lot of – that there’s kind of a universal appeal. 

Mayor: There is. 

Fink: We really appreciate you being with us, mayor. Thanks very much.