NEW YORK CITY — Police Commissioner Bill Bratton has prepared a message for Pope Francis in advance of the pontiff’s September visit to the Big Apple — and says the NYPD and the clergy “share a calling” to protect and help the needy.
“Everyday the men and women in the NYPD work tirelessly to serve the people of our community,” Bratton begins in a 90-second video prepared by Catholic Charities and viewed by DNAinfo New York.
“We protect the defenseless, aid the injured and comfort the fearful. It is our duty and solemn responsibility to tend to those in need. A calling to which your members are fiercely devoted.
“In this, our basic missions intertwine, cops and clergy share a calling.”
The police commissioner was among a few dozen celebrities, politicians and executives at charitable organizations, ranging from Carson Daly to Hillary Clinton to Carolyn Maloney, who taped welcoming messages for the pope’s forthcoming visit.
Pope Francis will attend the September 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia and then spend 36 hours in New York City addressing the United Nations, visiting the 9/11 Memorial and an East Harlem Catholic school and celebrating Mass at Madison Square Garden.
In his message, the police commissioner explained that the police and clergy “both understand what it means to dedicate our lives to the welfare of others.
“We are blessed to the see the best in people and resolute when handling the worst, and swear a vow to treat all people from the poorest to the most prosperous with dignity, care and respect . . . (and) serve others, especially the most vulnerable among us.”
“Helping people is at the very core of what we do,” Bratton concluded.
While all the papal messages hailed the pope's international quest for peace, at least one missive, prepared by Carson Daly, advised the pontiff to find time for a piece — of New York pizza.
