Pilgrims told to ask GP if they’re fit enough to see the Pope
■ Health chiefs warn of 14km trek to and from Phoenix Park
OLDER people are being urged to consult their GPs before embarking on a lengthy trek to see Pope Francis in the Phoenix Park.
Health chiefs have warned that people will have to walk up to 14km by the time they attend Mass and work their way back to a public transport hub.
The HSE is recommending that anybody who doubts their ability to safely complete the long walk should consider staying at home.
Chief emergency management officer Brendan Lawlor told the Irish Independent that people “need to engage with their healthcare provider”.
“For people who feel they may not be able to do this, we’ve moved on in 40 years.
“The television coverage of the event is going to be absolutely massive and close-up,” he said.
“You’ll see every aspect of the event so people shouldn’t lose out – but they should be very mindful of not bringing on a health condition onto themselves.”
More than 1,000 medical providers will be working within the confines of the Phoenix Park on Sunday, August 26.
Key hospitals in Dublin have also amended their rosters to prepare for an expected rise in demand for their services.
“We’re not estimating the amounts of deaths. We have assessed what’s going on. This sort of an event with 500,000 people, there could be [deaths] but we’re not saying there will be. We’ll plan for that eventuality,” Mr Lawlor said. “Our advice is that they consult their healthcare provider, be that their GP, public health nurse or other healthcare professional…
“It’s a long, long day for people and depending on where they are travelling from around the country, they need to assess their ability to take part in this event.”
Rest zones will be positioned at regular intervals on the way to the Papal Cross where Pope Francis will arrive at around 2.30pm.
He will spend 20 minutes moving through the crowds in a popemobile before celebrating Mass.
Corrals have been established in the park to facilitate 1,100 pilgrims each. People will be allowed to bring small, portable chairs into the park.
Fr Damien McNiece, who is master of ceremonies for the event, said there would be 14 ‘sub chapels’ from where people will be able to receive Holy Communion.
“Before and after there are a whole series of events and entertainers and people doing inspirational stuff to get everybody into the zone,” he said.
A massive area of the park has been cordoned off as workers build an altar around the Papal Cross where Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass in 1979.
The ‘double dome’ will facilitate 3,000 choir singers and around 2,000 priests who will concelebrate Mass with the Pope.
Spokesperson for the World Meeting of Families Brenda Drumm said the organisation “has been a mammoth task” but is on schedule.