Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Appears Live on AM 970 The Answer

September 25, 2015

Joe Piscopo: Mayor de Blasio is kind enough to call the show. Mr. Mayor, welcome to the program.

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Thank you, Joe.

Joe Piscopo: You know, mayor, we’ve been trying to get you on the show. We were starting to get a little bit of a complex. So, thank you for joining us this morning.

Mayor: Joe, don’t have a complex, especially on this wonderful day in New York City. Everyone should feel good today.

[Laughter]

Joe Piscopo: Hey, tell me, how is it – now, you met – you met the pope before. You met him at the Vatican earlier right, Mayor de Blasio?

Mayor: I was at a gathering of mayors at the Vatican. He called us all together to talk about climate change. But this is the first time I actually got to have a – just a brief, brief conversation with him. And you’ll appreciate our common heritage. My first words to him were benvenuto, Santo Padre, which means – welcome, Holy Father.

Joe Piscopo: Yeah.

Mayor: And he – what an incredible warm, welcoming human being he is in all ways. And I literally believe this city is being uplifted today.

Joe Piscopo: It is – it was great. Did you – did he remember you from the Vatican, by chance?

Mayor: I think he had a lot of better things on his mind.

[Laughter]

Mayor: He was about to –

Joe Piscopo: You didn’t go – Mayor de Blasio, you didn’t go up to the pope and go – do you know who I am? Do you know who I am?

[Laughter]

Mayor: No, no people do that all the time, but no. You know, when you’re in the presence of the Holy Father, it puts things in perspective. You know, he’s a leader – he’s a moral leader. He’s a global leader. He’s a different kind of leader than we ever get to meet. But boy, the reaction from people as he arrived – the warmth, the sense of inspiration that he creates is absolutely indescribable.

Joe Piscopo: Yeah, no matter if you’re religious or not, I can tell. When you met him, Mayor de Blasio – when you met Pope Francis, not only at the Vatican – and then you saw him yesterday going to the great basilica at St. Patrick’s there. I mean, what was that like? Is that – do you feel – I can see, even from watching on television, Mr. Mayor, I can see that Pope Francis is very – forgive me for using the expression in a religious tone – but very Christ-like.

Mayor: I agree with that entirely. I think it is the exact right description. And I think that is why he is so compelling across all faiths. I think for Christians, it’s a very, very powerful moment. And I think for people who happen not to be Christian, there’s just as much a sense of connection to him because of humility, compassion, universality – the way he speaks to all of us. And he’s – I think the major thing about him is there’s an urgency to what he says on things like climate change or creating more equality in the world, but at the same time, warmth and compassion. He manages to achieve both.

Joe Piscopo: And it was great, he got you and Governor Cuomo together. That was great to see – the pope, Governor Cuomo, and Mayor de Blasio. We love that, Mr. Mayor, I’ve got to tell you.

Mayor: The pope brings out the best in all of us.

Joe Piscopo: Yeah that was great. And you know what? Thank you for the invite – October 8th at the Met. I’m going to be in Washington but thank you for thinking of the Italian Americans. How proud of you – are you, Mr. Mayor – before we let you go – of the NYPD and the great job they’re doing on this event?

Mayor: The NYPD has been outstanding. You know, there’s always doubting Thomas’ out there, Joe. We have, obviously, one of the biggest moments in this city’s history in terms of security. The NYPD, as usual, has made it simple, easy, seamless. They are amazing at what they do. You would never know what it takes. You’ll never see all of the preparations. But they keep us safe and they are doing an incredible job.

Joe Piscopo: Bill de Blasio, you are most kind to call the show. We appreciate it very much. I won’t have a complex anymore, Mr. Mayor. Thank you so much.

Mayor: No more complex, Joe [inaudible].

Joe Piscopo: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you for taking the time. God speed all day, today.

Mayor: God bless.

Joe Piscopo: You too, indeed.