There are six days to go before Pope Francis arrives in the US on his first American tour, but we’ve already learned a lot about the man.
His charismatic translator (who has become a star in his own right)
The pope did not want to use a “professional translator that hides in the wings and is only a voice”, Cindy Wooden, the Rome bureau chief for the Catholic News Service told the New York Times. He wanted someone present so he could speak from the heart. And thus, the rise to fame of Monsignor Mark Miles began. After he translated a speech the pope gave in Tacloban City, the Philippines, “overnight, Monsignor Miles became a star in the Filipino blogosphere”, the Times reported. Miles is a trim man who wears glasses, is an official from the Vatican’s Secretariat of State. Many predict he will be equally well received in the US.
His particular sleeping requirements
Prior to the pope’s arrival, the room he will occupy must be scrubbed to perfection, a new memory foam mattress must be ordered and it must be made up with new sheets embroidered with the papal crest. When the pope sleeps somewhere, he is usually the last one who ever does. According to the Washington Post, the beds he spends his nights in while visiting the US will have an exclusive plaque placed above them once he leaves stating: The Pope Slept Here.
His very own brew
Ever since news leaked out that the distinguished and respected Pope Francis had once been a bouncer at a Buenos Aires nightclub, it became clear that there was more than meets the eye to this leader of the Roman Catholic church. And the Cape May Brewery has decided to honor him with his own specialty brew. “It’s called YOPO. All the kids are saying YOLO, You Only Live Once, well, you only Pope once,” Ryan Krill, president of the Cape May Brewery, told Fox 17. Krill said he had even taken the pope’s beer preferences into consideration by brewing a light pale ale, since he is known to like light beer. Cape May has brewed one batch only and are now praying that he will give it a try.
His merchandise
The brew idea seems positively sensible compared with some of the other things people have made in the pope’s honor. South Philly’s Pastificio Homemade Pasta Co has shaped blocks of cheese into images of the pope and pizza boxes have been adorned with his face. Shirts have been made showing the pope wearing sunglasses while waving with the word “Cool” plastered below and some stating “This girl loves Pope Francis”.
His very own Lego land
In honor of the pope’s arrival, a pastor in Pennsylvania, reverend Bob Simon, has built a Lego Vatican using more than 44,000 tiny Lego pieces. He claims that it weighs over 100 pounds and that it took him 10 months to finish. Simon included Lego people from all backgrounds in his creation including a robber, a sailor, and an Elvis impersonator. “I wanted to show this that the church extends this great welcome to everyone,” he told the Huffington Post. And his time commitment has paid off; the Lego Vatican will be on display at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, which the pope will be visiting on 26-27 September.
His influence over drones
Drones have been banned in the cities the pope will visit and any of the surrounding communities. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a statement on Tuesday reminding residents and visitors of Washington, New York and Philadelphia of the ban. “If you plan to attend any of the Papal visit events, please leave your drone at home,” said the FAA administrator, Michael Huerta. “Anyone flying a drone within the designated restricted areas may be subject to civil and criminal charges.”
His opening acts
In order to ensure people arrive early to the mass the pope is giving at Madison Square Garden on 25 September, they have secured a long list of distinguished acts to take the stage before him. Harry Connick Jr, Gloria Estefan and Jennifer Hudson are listed among the performers. Mass will begin at 6.30pm with a two-hour show preceding it. But the archdiocese has said that attendees should arrive at the Garden at 2pm, according to the New York Times.
His effect on traffic
News outlets have been publishing panicked articles about how the pope’s visit will affect traffic. Streets will be shut down and traffic delays are expected. One New York Post article is titled “Pope Francis’ visit is going to make traveling in NYC a living hell” and the Daily Caller wrote another titled “Six Reasons Why The Pope’s Visit Will Be A Disaster For DC Residents”. “This is closures of biblical proportions,” Sam Schwartz, former New York City traffic commissioner, told the New York Post.
