Showcall's Role
For both papal visits, Showcall led full-service event planning, creative design, and technical production. Pope Benedict XVI’s multi-day visit involved Showcall overseeing production for a series of high-profile engagements, including an official meeting at the White House with President George W. Bush, as well as visits to The Catholic University of America, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center.
Creative & Broadcast Services
- Audiovisuals systems tailored to large-scale outdoor environments and global broadcasts
- Stage and scenic design crafted for ceremonial impact
- Show direction, technical direction, and staging
- Live broadcast management, including livestream audio and video distribution
Operational Services
- Planning & Execution
- Multidimensional planning model accounting for all phases of pre-production, on-site operations, and post-production
- Environment-focused strategy to optimize event locations and mitigate outdoor risk
- Host broadcast and media pool coordination
- Site Infrastructure
- Tenting solutions for clergy, VIPs, press, and production staff
- Power generation and distribution
- Security & Access Control
- Perimeter security planning and implementation by Showcall Security Services, in coordination with the United States Secret Service
Overview
Selected by the Archdiocese of Washington, Showcall was honored to be entrusted with planning and producing two historic Papal Masses—each demanding comprehensive, large-scale coordination, advanced technical infrastructure, and a deep understanding of live ceremonial production.
Historic events
Pope Francis’s 2015 Canonization Mass for Blessed Junípero Serra marked the first canonization ever celebrated in the United States. The large-scale, open-air liturgy commenced with a ceremonial procession, during which Pope Francis made two full circuits through the crowd gathered outside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception before presiding over the Mass at the East Portico.
In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI’s public Mass at Nationals Park was not only a major spiritual event, but also the first event ever held in the stadium. With construction still underway, Showcall was tasked with designing a layout that would allow the venue to be fully restored to pristine condition in time for the Washington Nationals’ next home game just days later.
Impact
Showcall delivered two landmark productions, each involving intense logistical complexity, extensive government and institutional coordination, and exceptional technical adaptability. For the Pope Benedict XVI Mass, the production team seamlessly executed a high-profile liturgy within an active construction site and restored the stadium to professional play standards within days. For the Pope Francis Canonization, Showcall created a reverent and visually powerful setting for a historically significant religious moment, broadcast live to viewers around the world.
