Originally Posted by
JohnnyColombia
No popes for me but I once flew out of SCL the same time as George W Bush. Was really not a big deal, additional hand luggage checks but that's it. Obviously the pope won't be hanging around at the gate so I don't see why there would be anything more than slightly heightened security.
Ditto. The pope will be taxied directly to whatever plane the Vatican has arranged for him. And then he'll walk up the stairs to the plane. This shouldn't effect to any great degree normal operations inside the airport. I bet if there is increased problems, it will be the traffic outside the airport from Pope watchers. Not increased traffic inside the airport itself.
Having said that, arriving earlier than you planned won't hurt. Especially having gained peace of mind that you made it in time.