All the security on the Pope on his White House viewing, it embarasses me.

[Sunlei]

The Pope is live on TV now. He wants to touch the people and they want to touch them. Thousands of Guards block the American people.

[brooklynite]

1. Whatever security arrangements are in place were worked out with the Vatican.

[Sunlei]

5. Hope the Pope tells Congress our 'security' treats 'the people' like we all are terrorist enemies.

[trumad]

2. Welcome to the 21st century.

[rbrnmw]

3. The batshit crazies have already made threats

Welcome to America where crazy people get their ideas from frothing at the mouth RW radio and Fox News

[underpants]

4. The U.S. is a very difficult security setting

Why? All the guns. Security doesn't have to contend with that anywhere near the degree they have to here.

[Sunlei]

7. He has walked the crowds in countries full of guns and violence.

[meaculpa2011]

6. Yup. After all, nothing bad ever happens in Piazza San Pietro. n/t

[Codeine]

8. Oh good lord.

Not enough facepalm memes on all of google for this nonsense.

[Sunlei]

9. Hey I love this Pope and he will give Congress a piece of his mind!

[MineralMan]

10. Thousands of guards? Really?

Do you have photos of all those guards. They should be very visible, I'd think. I saw some on TV this morning, but hardly thousands.

[Sunlei]

11. white shirts line the entire route, ridiculously excessive to block 'the people' with a wall.

[MineralMan]

12. Not really excessive and not really "thousands"

Those people on the line move along with the Pope. I saw one video where one of them carried a baby to the Pope for a kiss. Crowd control is necessary, no matter what the event or who the notable person is.

I believe you exaggerated, and the people along that route are getting a good close look at the Pope, too. Would you have no security there? Really?

[Hortensis]

14. Pope Francis was reaching out to a LOT of happy faces as he rolled along.

Imaginary problems can be as distressing as real ones, no doubt, but why let them?

[MineralMan]

15. Yes. Security is important when global leaders

pass through a crowd. There's always someone who hates them, whoever they may be. The people who came to see the Pope saw the Pope. He'll probably have a safe visit, too. I avoid such crowds, but many people want to be there to see the Pope firsthand. Since they're there, security is required.

What I don't understand is the objection to security to protect the man. It's necessary.

I guess people have to have something to rail about.

[bigwillq]

13. I think the security is fine, and necessary.

I'm glad they are taking every measure to keep everyone as safe as possible.

[Sunlei]

16. Happy this little girl broke through & was able to give the Pope her message

[Logical]

17. Look at our murder rate compared to UK, FRANCE, CANADA, ETC. nt

[Sunlei]

18. So uplifting while the Pope now speaks to Congress, & he mentioned the Golden Rule

And now the environment, "Protect Nature"

[gateley]

19. There's that level of security wherever he goes.

And as someone mentioned, all worked out with the Vatican.