Il Papa è atterrato!

[SnarkShark]

The Pope is here. Just got greeted by the Obamas coming off the plane.

 

[Football_Bat]

Just wait till he gets to Philly and gets batteries thrown.

 

[JackReacher]

The building I work at houses around 4,000+ employees. Maybe a quarter of that will show up to work today and tomorrow. I think my office will have about 10% of its workforce here this week.

 

[Gator]

Sorry, I don't get it. Unsure why this is that big of a deal.

 

[Vombatus]

Sorry, I don't get it. Unsure why this is that big of a deal.

I think it's his pointy hat.

 

[JackReacher]

Sorry, I don't get it. Unsure why this is that big of a deal.

Well, most people are taking off work to avoid road closures and heavy traffic. Federal workers have been strongly encouraged to telework or take PTO this week. Which is exactly what people at my work are doing.

 

[Gator]

Well, most people are taking off work to avoid road closures and heavy traffic. Federal workers have been strongly encouraged to telework or take PTO this week. Which is exactly what people at my work are doing.

I meant news coverage. Our local news station (not in one of the cities the pope is visiting) has a "special section" on its website, and it has sent four reporters down there for coverage. I just hope he doesn't lose his wallet.

 

[MisterCreosote]

He's the first pope to address Congress, meaning he's the first to interject himself into American politics and ostensibly try to directly influence American policy. That's a big deal.

 

[cranberry]

Our office is closed Thursday afternoon and Friday. We've been strongly urged to get some work done, anyway, but that doesn't necessarily keep me off the golf course.

 

[User 11148]

Our office is closed Thursday afternoon and Friday. We've been strongly urged to get some work done, anyway, but that doesn't necessarily keep me off the golf course.

If the course marshal forgets to pass along any messages, it's not your fault.

 

[cranberry]

Exactly. And I can check e-mail while I get a hot dog at the turn.

 

[YankeeFan]

Look at you two getting along. The Pope truly is a miracle worker!

 

[Vombatus]

Could this be a sign of a kinder, gentler sj.com?

 

[User 11148]

Could this be a sign of a kinder, gentler sj.com?

**** no ...

 

[Vombatus]

**** no ...

I was hoping you would reply "**** off, Vombatus!"

Close enough... got some f words in the Pope thread. I am happy.

 

[bigpern23]

I meant news coverage. Our local news station (not in one of the cities the pope is visiting) has a "special section" on its website, and it has sent four reporters down there for coverage. I just hope he doesn't lose his wallet.

I mean, he is the spiritual leader of 1.2 billion people (roughly 17 percent of the world's population) on his first visit to the U.S. It shouldn't be a surprise that media outlets in the most Catholic state in the Union (44 percent of Rhode Islanders identify as Catholic) would assume that a significant portion of their viewers have some interest in the visit.

 

[User 11148]

I mean, he is the spiritual leader of 1.2 billion people (roughly 17 percent of the world's population) on his first visit to the U.S. It shouldn't be a surprise that media outlets in the most Catholic state in the Union (44 percent of Rhode Islanders identify as Catholic) would assume that a significant portion of their viewers have some interest in the visit.

When I cover a certain topic in my main class, I have a cool video that shows the production of communion wafers. Turns out the biggest manufacturer (of communion wafers and altar bread) in the world is in Greenville, RI. (http://www.cavanaghco.com/home)

BTW, you'd think Maryland would be more Catholic than it is (seeing as how it was founded as a place of refuge for Catholics).

 

[cranberry]

Update: There's a 14-square block area (which includes my building) that will be closed to traffic beginning at 10 am for a 6:45 pm prayer at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Police barricades are already lining the streets in the area, wooden ones along the avenues and metal ones on the streets. They haven't moved my homeless friend Mike yet. Another guy at the corner of 48th and Madison has set up a card table where he's selling Pope and Donald Trump buttons. I have a meeting. Then I'm going to get the **** out of here, although I may stop to pick up a Pope button on the way to the train.

As a side note, the scaffolding outside and inside St. Pat's came down about a month ago and the place is really breathtaking.

 

[Vombatus]

Update: There's a 14-square block area (which includes my building) that will be closed to traffic beginning at 10 am for a 6:45 pm prayer at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Police barricades are already lining the streets in the area, wooden ones along the Avenues and metal ones on the side streets. They haven't moved my homeless friend Mike yet. Another guy at the corner of 48th and Madison has set up a card table where he's selling Pope and Donald Trump buttons. I have a meeting. Then I'm going to get the **** out of here, although I may stop to pick up a Pope button on the way to the train.

As a side note, the scaffolding outside and inside St. Pat's came down about a month ago and the place is really breathtaking.

Cran, if you see a Pope beer bottle opener, will you buy one for me? I need it for our softball league. I'll of course repay you.

I am serious. We've used Pope bottle openers for over 20 years, and we need a new one for this new guy.

 

[cranberry]

Cran, if you see a Pope beer bottle opener, will you buy one for me? I need it for our softball league. I'll of course repay you.

I am serious. We've used Pope bottle openers for over 20 years, and we need a new one for this new guy.

Absolutely. I would pick one up for myself, too.