Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Speaks with W-PIX11's Mario Diaz, Kori Chambers, and Sukanya Krishnan About The Papal Visit

September 24, 2015

Mario Diaz: I believe that the mayor is going to be joining us right now, here – if we could bring him in. Mayor de Blasio, first off, thank you – good morning – for joining us. I want to say – your thoughts on the efforts that the United States Secret Service, along with the NYPD, as well as the entire operation of security that is going on here in the city?

Mayor de Blasio: Outstanding effort, outstanding teamwork – I really want to thank the Secret Service. NYPD has been extraordinary – great teamwork also with the FBI and a number of other security agencies. Police Commissioner here, Bill Bratton, has always talked about the need for all the agencies to work together and collaborate. I’m seeing it on a huge scale. And His Holiness will be safe, and all New Yorkers will be safe.

Diaz: How challenging is the balance of a celebration, but at the same time, ensuring that that celebration goes off without any type of issues, from your perspective?

Mayor: Well, I think this is something we’re experts on here in New York City, because we’re used to big events. NYPD is very, very good at handling big events and still allowing them to really be great for everyone who participates. Now, with His Holiness, we know he is given to a little spontaneity, so we’re not going to be surprised if, at any point, the pope decides he wants to greet the crowd – but the NYPD and all the members of this security team are ready for that. I think it’s going to be an inspiring moment because, remember, this pope has a message that’s so energizing, so universal – that’s why people want to see him. We want to make sure they have that experience, but they’re also safe.

Diaz: First words that you will be saying to the pope when you see him this evening in front of St. Patrick’s?

Mayor: Santo Padre, which means “Holy Father” in Italian. I will – I’m going to thank him, because I think his message has been unifying in a world that needs a positive vision. And I think he’s the greatest moral voice in the world.

Diaz: Lastly, Mayor de Blasio, personally, for you, what does this weekend mean for you personally? And then, if you can, also touch on it professionally, because you have so much of the focus of the globe right now on our city.

Mayor: Personally, it’s an inspiring moment, because I think His Holiness is showing us all a way to think about our common humanity. And I think, for me, it’s a very energizing moment personally, a moment of sort of renewing belief in what we can do together. Professionally, I think it’s a reminder to all of us to try and achieve what the pope’s telling us to achieve. He is asking us to recognize our common humanity and act on some urgent issues, like inequality and climate change. I think that’s going to get us all working faster and better together.

Diaz: Mayor, I have Kori and Suki back at the office. They want to ask one quick question – well then, go ahead, fellas.

Kori Chambers: Well, you know, I’m curious because –

Diaz: [Inaudible]

Chambers: Mayor de Blasio, he was baptized Catholic, he was raised Catholic – I think he has an uncle who is a priest.

Diaz: Right.

Chambers: So I’m curious if, you know – does this stir anything in his soul, to be face to face with the pope?

Diaz: Your family has a long history of Catholicism. You’ve been baptized Catholic. You have an uncle, I believe –

Mayor: I wasn’t baptized Catholic.

Diaz: Forgive me.

Mayor: No, that’s –

Diaz: That’s on Kori, not on me, Mayor. [Laughs]

Mayor: You’re always accurate. My mother was brought up in the Church, but I was not brought up in the Church. But we have a long family history of Catholicism, that’s true.

Diaz: Personally, then, what does this mean for you?

Mayor: Because I have that long family history, I have a deep respect for the Catholic Church and a sense of personal connection. My great-uncle was a priest, so it wasn’t that far away from me. I think it’s a moment of rejuvenation for the Church. I think it’s a moment where people who believe in the Church’s message feel closer to it than ever before. But also, the Catholic Church is providing global leadership at this moment. In the – in this pope, we have a moral voice – a global moral voice – that we haven’t seen in a long time. So it’s inspiring, and it’s gratifying. It’s a gratifying moment.

Diaz: I’m getting the signal that you must be moving on. Last question – I asked Commissioner Bratton this – how well will you sleep on Saturday night?

Mayor: [Laughs]

Diaz: When he’s gone, and everything is taken care of?

Mayor: I think there’s a lot of us that could say – including my – my friends at the NYPD – would all say this: we’re going to sleep much better that night than the next couple. But listen, it’s amazing – the preparations are amazing. The energy’s amazing. People are ready for something special.

Diaz: I mean – you like to work out, you run – 37 miles of concrete barricades throughout the city. It’s 11 miles longer than the marathon.

Mayor: That’s because this city can handle it. The beauty of New York City – and I hear this from our colleagues in the Secret Service, the FBI – they’re really respectful, almost in awe, of what New York City brings to bear in these events. We’ve never had so many foreign leaders and the pope at one time, but we are ready.

Diaz: And, oh, by the way, the president on Monday and Tuesday.

Mayor: Yeah, and him too. [Laughs] We’re ready. We’re ready. Thank you.

Diaz: Mayor de Blasio, thank you so very much. Obviously, best of luck throughout the course of the next 48 hours here.

Mayor: Thank you very much.