The Secret Service has released an official list of items that the general public will be prohibited from bringing into the Ben Franklin Parkway and the Independence Mall during the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia the weekend of Sept. 26.
The list includes items commonly prohibited from mass public events, like explosives, firearms, and mace. However, the list also includes items you might not have seen on any list, like selfie sticks, balloons, and drones.
Small bags and backpacks will be allowed, and they need not be clear.
Below is the full list of items prohibited from events during the Papal visit:
• Aerosols
• Ammunition
• Animals other than service/guide animals
• Backpacks and bags exceeding the size restrictions (18” x 13” x 7”)
• Balloons
• Bicycles
• Hard Coolers (Soft-sided thermal coolers ARE allowed)
• Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
• Explosives
• Firearms
• Glass, thermal or metal containers
• Laser pointers
• Mace/Pepper spray
• Packages
• Selfie Sticks
• Signs exceeding the size restrictions (5’ x 3’ x 1/4”) made of any material except cardboard, poster board or cloth
• Structures
• Supports for signs and placards
• Toy guns
• Weapons of any kind
• Any other items determined to be a potential safety hazard
For the pope's Benjamin Franklin Parkway appearances on both days, seven screening areas will be available for ticket holders.
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Nine entry points are planned for people without tickets for the Sept. 26 event and three for his Mass the next day.
The Secret Service has asked guests to allow for additional time for security screening, as it is expected that lines may be long.