Recalling the Mission of ‘Shepherd One’

How one airline supported Pope Francis’ whirlwind trip to the U.S. a decade ago.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, April 21, 2025 at 03:32 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

Pope Francis on an American 777 [Courtesy: American Airlines]

Key Takeaways:

American Airlines operated a special charter, "Shepherd One," for Pope Francis's 2015 visit to the United States, marking the airline's seventh time transporting a pope.
The specific Boeing 777-200ER (N776AN) received an official callsign for its flights to Washington, New York, and Philadelphia, and now features a commemorative plaque, with the Pope's seat preserved in a museum.
The article reflects on this historic journey in the context of Pope Francis's recent passing, noting his usual reliance on Alitalia or ITA Airways for international travel.

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In September 2015, American Airlines operated a special charter flight for Pope Francis during his first visit to the United States. The aircraft used, a Boeing 777-200ER with tail number N776AN, was designated “Shepherd One” for the duration of the papal tour and remains in service today.

This callsign was officially approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for the period of Sept. 21 to Oct. 15, 2015. The papal charter was the seventh time that American, and previously TWA, had transported a pope.