Andreas Widmer , clinical assistant professor, business, was interviewed by Marketplace on the Pope's trip to Mexico. See below.
From: Marketplace Date: Feb. 11, 2016 Author: Nova Safo
... As it turns out, the Pope's trips are heavily subsidized, starting with the first plane ride.
"All the seats on the plane are sold to journalists at ... what you would call an elevated price," Andreas Widmer said, Director of Entrepreneurship Programs at The Catholic University of America, and the author of a book about his time in the Swiss Guard, the Vatican's version of the Secret Service.
Once in country, the pope needs security. Mexico plans to deploy more than 10,000 police, soldiers and agents of the presidential guard. The country will pick up the tab for the extra expense.
"That is just the normal protocol for heads of states," Widmer said. ...
Read more about Widmer's expertise .