An Upper East Side block will look like a war-zone military base when Pope Francis crashes there next week — with armored vehicles, rooftop snipers and a bulletproof passageway for the pontiff.
“I don’t know if he’s going to be able to sleep, there will be so many cops outside,” a law-enforcement source said.
For security reasons, the NYPD and Secret Service revealed few specifics on how they plan to protect the pontiff during his three-night stay at the stately town house at 20 E. 72nd St., once home to late-19th-century Mayor Hugh Grant, a Catholic.
But sources said concrete barriers and sand-filled trucks will block East 72nd Street between Fifth and Madison avenues from Thursday to Saturday to protect against potential car or truck bombs.
Bomb-sniffing dogs will be in place, the streets cleared of cars and buildings will be scoured. Residents will be screened, have their bags searched and be required to show ID before they can get into their own buildings.
Authorities will also build an above-ground, bulletproof passageway so the pope can safely walk from the house to a waiting vehicle. Manholes, mailboxes and sewer grates will be secured.
Neighbors of the residence — home to Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Vatican’s UN envoy — reacted to the disruption in a typical New Yorker’s resigned fashion.
“It’s very inconvenient for me but, nevertheless, it’s the pope,” said Jerome Deutsch, 86.
Other notables on the block include the emir of Qatar, who owns a 90,000-square-foot mansion across the street; James “Tom” Tomilson Hill III, vice chair of the Blackstone Group financial firm; and developer Jerry Spyer.
New York Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan said in a WABC radio interview that the pontiff will use his regular open Jeep for a ride through Central Park on Friday so thousands of people can see him.
“Like any guest, you want him to be protected. But am I concerned? Yeah. Am I worried? No,” said Dolan. “He’s sure not worried. And he’s got a strong Guardian Angel.”
Dolan also cracked a joke about the Fiat the Pope will use to get around town.
“I hope it’s not an economy size, ’cause I got to sit in the back seat with him,” Dolan said.
