Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Sarah Eberspacher, Jessica Lee and Jana Kasperkevic

Pope-mania sweeps Philadelphia: from pontiff-themed outfits to papal pups

Shireen and Tim Dastis wear homemade pope hats as they show their support on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.
Shireen and Tim Dastis wear homemade pope hats as they show their support on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. Photograph: Eugene Garcia/EPA

Pope Francis’s US visit has included plenty of the energetic, impromptu moments for which he is known – from embracing a young girl who hand-delivered a plea for US immigration reform, to flying by the Statue of Liberty before departing New York. The pontiff’s fans have returned his enthusiasm in kind.

In Philadelphia, bartenders have busted out their best papal gear ...

Dressed as Pope Francis, Sean P. Kurz, 24, a bartender at Pitchers Pub, serves a beer in Philadelphia.
Dressed as the pope, Sean P Kurz, 24, a bartender at Pitchers Pub, serves a beer in Philadelphia. Photograph: Mark Makela/Reuters

... while bakers have turned their talents to sugary likenesses of the pope.

Carol Lanni sets out sugar cookies bearing an image of Pope Francis at Isgro’s Bakery in Philadelphia.
Carol Lanni sets out sugar cookies bearing an image of the pope at Isgro’s Bakery in Philadelphia. Photograph: Charles Mostoller/Reuters

Babies, meanwhile, are being outfitted in Francis-themed looks that their future selves undoubtedly hope will not be captured for posterity (this little guy wasn’t so lucky).

And dogs – who, alas, have no say in the matter – are showing off their own Pope Francis styles.

Pope pup Bellatrix, right, has her costume adjusted by owner Ashley Spann while posing for photos with Addie, left, and owner Emily Mariani, outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
Bellatrix, right, has her costume adjusted by owner Ashley Spann while posing for photos with Addie, left, and owner Emily Mariani, outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Photograph: David Goldman/AP

The Philadelphia Eagles leave the pope behind on Sunday, when they travel to take on the New York Jets – but fans are hopeful the pontiff’s visit will infuse the 0-2 team with a little extra luck.

There have been delightfully eccentric getups ...

Holly Benner, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, waits for Pope Francis in a pontiff-themed getup along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.
Holly Benner, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, waits for Pope Francis in a pontiff-themed outfit along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. Photograph: David Goldman/AP

...and quirky, city-specific swag:

Kids found their own way to get in on the Pope Francis fun in Washington.

Four-year-olds Kaydn Dorsey, left, and Lionel Perkins color with a two-dimensional Pope Francis while waiting for the real pontiff to arrive on a visit to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington DC.
Four-year-olds Kaydn Dorsey, left, and Lionel Perkins color with a two-dimensional Pope Francis while waiting for the real pontiff to arrive on a visit to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington DC. Photograph: DAVID GOLDMAN / POOL/EPA

Cats are, as usual, just along for the ride.

Some Pope Francis fans stand out in a crowd.

People wait for Pope Francis at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
People wait for Pope Francis at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Others are trying to merge the pontiff’s visit with another kind of religion.

Priests have gathered en masse at a chosen place – Burger King – to enjoy sustenance before catching a glimpse of the pope.

A group of nuns opted for a caffeine boost, instead.

And back in New York, an uber-fan says he stayed up until 2am to construct a Francis-themed hat he hoped would help him earn some attention.

Wilfredo Cedron displays a very special hat near New York’s Central Park.
Wilfredo Cedron displays a very special hat near New York’s Central Park. Photograph: Kathy Willens/AP

The bottom line? The only kind of shade being thrown toward Pope Francis is of the eyewear persuasion.

A girl shows off her Pope Francis-themed shades in Philadelphia.
A girl shows off her “I love Pope” shades in Philadelphia. Photograph: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
The Hidden Effects of Screen Time on Children's Health, Sleep, and Development
Discover how excessive screen time affects children's health, sleep, and development, and learn practical tips to manage digital habits for healthier, balanced growth.
Medical Daily
Medical Daily
Barry Keoghan: 'There’s a lot of hate online. It’s a lot of abuse of how I look'
Barry Keoghan has considered quitting acting due to abuse over his looks and says he finds it hard to deal with the comments.
BANG Premier
BANG Premier
Best thing I ever ate? My first In-N-Out burger in LA
Why the Double-Double is ‘the near perfect expression of burger-ness’
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
How AI English and human English differ – and how to decide when to use artificial language
Suspicion and affection. Apprehension and excitement. Most people have mixed feelings about AI English, whether or not they always recognize it. When reading text generated by AI, people feel it sounds off, or fake. When reading English by a human, people are more likely to feel it has a characteristic…
The Conversation
The Conversation
Delilah and Me
Back in 2002, I heard a great question, from Betchen and Paul Barber: Who cut off Samson's hair? Of course… The post Delilah and Me appeared first on Reason.com.
Reason
Reason
Why was Tim McGraw 'sobbing' in the street?
Tim McGraw started “sobbing” in the street in New York City when he found out he was being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
BANG Premier
BANG Premier
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play