Pope to be heavily guarded in NYC

NEW YORK, April 12 (UPI) -- New York officials have a security plan for the upcoming visit by Pope Benedict XVI that includes coverage in the water and the sky as well as the ground.

The pope is scheduled to be in the city for three days next week, spending time at a number of high-profile locations -- including the World Trade Center site, the United Nations, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Park East Synagogue and Yankee Stadium.

City officials, the Secret Service and the police department began planning in October, The New York Times reported. The Swiss Guards, the pope's own security force, will also be on hand.

Pope Benedict will be staying at the residence of Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Vatican ambassador to the United Nations. Residents of the block of East 72nd Street between Fifth and Madison will need ID to get to their homes while the pope is there.

Low-flying aircraft will be banned from areas where the pope is speaking. When he proceeds up Fifth Avenue in a Popemobile, backpacks will be banned.