All this hoopla over the Pope coming the US over the next 2 weeks! In 2004, my sister and I did some backpacking around Europe. We went to Vatican City, and apparently had just missed a Papal Mass in St. Peter's Square - we just caught a glimpse of the Popemobile driving out of the square!
Have you ever seen the Pope in person, or are you planning to see him at any of the events while he's here in the US?
pomegranate / 3032 posts
I live just north of philadelphia, and while I think its wonderful that he's visiting and drawing so much attention and activity to my home town city (Philly: make good choices! don't screw this one up!) I will be staying as far away from the hoopla as I can. Even my many relatives that live in city limits are kinda "meh... I'll watch on TV" The organizers of this event are not making it very easy or accessible.
honeydew / 7504 posts
@Chillybear: I used to work at Pennsylvania Hospital down n Washington Square. My former coworkers are telling me it's a freaking disaster - they are being made to sleep at the hospital during his visit because the roads will be closed, the trains won't be running into Center City! Ugh! I'd be staying far away, too!
pomegranate / 3565 posts
Yes. As a child in 1987, Pope John Paul II came to my hometown of New Orleans. My mom took us to see him. I vividly remember lining the streets and waiting for him to pass in the pope mobile. I was maybe 8 or 9.
I would love to see one again. I hope to one day go to the Vatican.
pomegranate / 3032 posts
Logistically, it just doesnt even seem in the realm of what "the people's pope" was hoping for. You need special train tickets for certain train stations at certain times that had to be purchased lottery style weeks ago. Then you need tickets for each event - masses, parades, etc. they're closing major highways, bridges, and exits of the highways that arent closed. Most of the companies/schools in and around philly and "hub" train stations are closed on friday & monday some even today until tuesday.
As far as hospitals go, I would not be surprised if they saw a severe up tick in craziness this week/end. Not only just all the people in the city but who knows who many sickly/dying parishioners that are hoping the pope will miraculously cure them/child/loved one of what ails them that have made the pilgrimage to philly.
pomelo / 5258 posts
I saw Pope Benedict at at Vatican City saying a mass. DH & I were on a hop on hop off bus tour and just came across the mass.
pomelo / 5660 posts
He's here today and tomorrow I think. My husband works next to the White House and he worked from home because of all the craziness. I heard traffic was bad and his garage at his office building was closed.
nectarine / 2951 posts
I saw Pope John Paul in the Vatican when I was 17. I live right outside NYC, but don't have plans to see him.
pea / 5 posts
I saw the Pope when he was visiting Austria in 2007, I think, when he drove by in his Popemobile. I would love to meet this Pope, but I'm nowhere near DC.
pear / 1849 posts
I attended a private mass with Pope John Paul at the Vatican in 1997 and then saw him again at World Youth Day in Paris. I work across from Madison Square Garden in NYC and our office is closing at 2 tomorrow. I will be staying far, far away - it's already crazy here!
cherry / 188 posts
I went to World Youth Day in Denver in 1993, and I won some sort of lottery that gave me the chance to "meet" Pope John Paul II and President Clinton at the Denver airport. I thought it would be a legit meet and greet, but it turned out to be more of a small audience where they gave a speech and then came down to the barricade and kind of did that "walking along a barricade high-five thing" that rock stars and the royal family do.
I loooove Pope Francis and I wish I could get a chance to see him in NYC this weekend, but no dice.
pomegranate / 3904 posts
I saw Pope John Paul when I was 11. My church choir was chosen to go sing for him!
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
He came out on the balcony when I was visiting the Vatican, but didn't see him. I don't plan on seeing him while he's here in the U.S., unless you count the T.V. 
persimmon / 1045 posts
I saw Pope Jean Paul II at the.Vatican on the Sunday Mass in 2004, and then Pope Benedict twice in 2010 - once at a Sunday Mass and another time at Easter when he was doing the rounds of the Vatican in the Popemobile.
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
I think I saw the Pope when I visited the Vatican in 2001.
If I was still living in Philly, I might go, but I'm on the west coast now. My aunt, mom and their friend are staying at my sister's house this weekend. Everyone I know who live in Philly are leaving town.
cherry / 178 posts
Yes! It was a big deal for our family. I saw John Paul II when I was in Europe with my (Catholic) high school, just in the square for a blessing. When we went back as a family, we went to a Mass in Vatican City celebrated by Benedict XVI and saw him both up front and as he drove around the square. It was pretty cool 
pear / 1622 posts
Yes I went to a mass at the Vatican when I studied abroad in Italy - Pope John Paul II was around then. It is an amazing experience at the Vatican.
papaya / 10343 posts
Nope! I did go to Vatican City on a school trip in 2001 and had a pocket rosary blessed by him (Pope John Paul) for my Catholic (then) boyfriend. He didn't know what it was. I'm not Catholic but I should've kept it... lol.
clementine / 778 posts
Yes. The first time was when I went to mass at the Vatican. and the other time when I went to Germany for World Youth Day.
pomelo / 5129 posts
I saw Benedict twice. Once from afar at world youth day in Cologne, then when he was in DC in 2008. I lucked out and as he left a speech I got to shake his hand.
I was at the Mass yesterday with Pope Francis, but was working with the media so not near him. Coincidently, I was working in the room where I saw Benedict in 2008.
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