NJ State Police escort transplant patient across bridge during papal visit

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- With Pope Francis visiting Philadelphia this weekend, there have been many road closures in the city.

Several local hospitals are located within that secured zone. The hospitals have been planning for the papal visit for months, talking with local officials and police and making sure they have enough staff and supplies in case of any medical emergencies.

On Saturday, those collaborative efforts were put to work.

For thousands of people lining the streets of Philadelphia, just catching a glimpse of the pope felt like a blessing. But for one woman in South Jersey, the papal visit may have brought a miracle.

A woman in Berlin, New Jersey got the call she's been hoping for - a kidney became available at Jefferson University Hospital.

New Jersey State Police posted the story on their Facebook page.

They say they got the call from the Health Department at 11 a.m. for a police escort for an organ donor recipient.

Shortly after, Sergeant Chris Modarelli met the JeffSTAT ambulance patient's home and provided an escort across the closed Ben Franklin Bridge.

Hundreds have since posted messages of thanks for making this gift of life possible on this extraordinary weekend.

The Facebook post has been about 15,000 likes and has been shared more than 2,300 times.