What it was like to fly Pope Francis around America: American Airlines crew speaks out

'I asked him to bless my landing...'

Pope Francis' American Airlines flight crew has opened up about the spiritual experience, claiming the papal meeting was "like seeing God."

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Pilot George Griffin, his co-pilots and 15 cabin crew members were picked from a pool of thousands to man the American Airlines flight - called "Shepherd One" - to chauffeur Pope Francis around the United States during his American tour in September.

The Secret Service decided on who should man the flight prior to the papal trip from Rome to Washington, D.C., New York, Philadelphia and back home to Italy.

Griffin claimed Pope Francis greeted him every time the pontiff boarded the Boeing 777-200, even after long days where the pope had to travel from one meeting to another in an exhausting display of dedication.

53-year-old Griffin told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram he got to have conversations with Pope Francis on the flight from New York to Philadelphia. 

Griffin admitted, "I asked him to bless my landing because I wanted it to be very good for him. Without hesitation he said, 'I will bless your landing but you must pray for me in Philadelphia."

The pilot described being in the Pope's presence as "a very powerful feeling. I felt very blessed." Griffin asked the pontiff to bless his family and some rosaries he brought, adding those moments were very special.

American Airlines offered Pope Francis a gift that Griffin delivered, but the pilot was unable to disclose what that gift was.

Flight attendant Jeff Gross is not a Catholic but he admitted the "spiritual" meeting with the pontiff was "one of the most profound experiences" he has ever had.

Gross said, "When he walked through the cabin, it was like seeing God. He blessed me, held my hand. Truly, it was like looking in the eyes of God. Because when the Pope looks at you, his eyes lock in your eyes. 

"I truly believe that if I didn't say a word he can look in your heart, he can look in your mind, and he knows exactly what you want and he knows exactly what you need and why you're there asking for blessing."

The flight attendant continued to describe the five-day tour as a "sacred journey" and a "life-changing experience."

"I have been elated, I have been filled with joy, I've been filled with gratitude, pride. I've realized I am truly blessed," he stated.

Tom Howard, who was responsible for the organization of the papal trip, said there were barely any changes made beside a switch in first class curtains and the addition of the Vatican flag to the plane as Pope Francis had asked for as few modifications as possible, keeping in mind the cost of such things.

When American Airlines learned they were chosen earlier this year to transport the pontiff, they worked for months to get permission to use the call sign "Shepherd One."

Despite its use to chauffeur Pope Francis around America, American Airline officials have announced the plane has returned to its normal passenger plane status.

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