Capitol preps for Pope Francis and 50,000 visitors

by The Hill staff - 09/23/15 6:54 PM ET

Security preparations are clearly visible on Capitol Hill ahead of Pope Francis’s historic speech to Congress on Thursday.

Officials predict as many as 50,000 visitors from around the country will trek to Washington to see the pope speak via Jumbotrons located on the West Front of the National Mall.

{mosads}Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) tells The Hill’s Molly K. Hooper that the influx of visitors is no surprise.

Francis “is such a spiritual leader and inspiration” to people across the country, “they know this may be their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see him and be close to him,” she explained.

To hear more from Klobuchar on her special role Thursday and the other preparations taking place, please watch the video above.

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