The media has descended...

What was last week a trickle of occasional TV vans and camera crews at CUA has become a flood of media trucks, construction workers, CIA representatives and plain-clothes Secret Service men.

This CUA press release mentions 13 media satellite trucks in front of McMahon Hall alone.

That lines up with my on-the-ground observation:

And the pope doesn't even arrive until Wednesday.

I'm happy to report that through the kindness of the Dominican Friars I have a ticket to the front steps of the National Shrine when Pope Benedict XVI arrives there on Wednesday afternoon (I hope to provide pictures and video of that event). I'll be standing about where I was when I took this video last week.

Also, through an additional kindness, I have access to the CUA mall on both days the pope will be there. I hope to provide pictures and video of what is happening on the ground Wednesday and Thursday.

Busy times - keep it tuned here!