When You Have to Go… (Pope Edition)

So, you’re planning on coming to Philadelphia to see Pope Francis. Presumably you’ve found a place to stay (easier said than done), figured out how you’ll navigate public transportation (or at least brought your walking shoes), and you’ve picked up your commemorative papal plush toy. All that’s left to do is show up. Right?

The city is readying Porta-Potties for the pope’s visit.

Anyone who has attended a big outdoor event knows that answering the call of nature is always something that must be considered. Luckily, the city of Philadelphia has plans in place to assure that there will be a facility available when you have to go. News broke recently that the city was planning on one Porta-Potty for about every 250 people. Even more assuringly, these will be cleaned three times a day.

There will be approximately 3,500 Porta-Potties (including 250 handicap-accessible units) and 250 urinal stalls set up for the crowds expected to turn out for the pope’s visit. It’s anticipated that will amount to 1.5 million people. The company handling the toilet situation will be the appropriately named A Royal Flush Inc. The company already has several units stocked near the Walt Whitman Bridge, with several hundred more on order to be ready for the weekend of September 26-27. There will also be 28-foot-long VIP bathroom trailers on site.

The company is familiar with the needs of crowds on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway where the papal visit will be held, having provided Porta-Potties for Made In America. They have also handled the annual Mummer’s Parade and Broad Street Run.