Thousands of public safety officers, volunteers smoothed pilgrims’ progress [photos]

The papal visit to Philadelphia was made possible by the energy and efforts of countless helpful hands. Most visible were the many security officers representing more than a dozen agencies.

These photos portray the work of some of the others involved. It captures the moments that started with crews building up the stage on Sept. 17.

Ten days later, crews folded up thousands of chairs at the same location while the Jumbotron shows the pope waving from the plane at the airport, on his way home.