To see the Pope or not?

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Here is what I’ve heard regarding the Pope’s route:

Wednesday, April 16: After meeting with George Bush, at noon, the popemobile will carry the Pope from the White House to the Apostolic Nunciature (at Massachusetts Avenue and 34th Street NW.) If this information is correct, this will be a long route (3 miles), and there will be plenty of room to line up and see the popemobile.

At 5 PM on the same day, the Pope will leave the Apostolic Nunciature by car and transfer to the popemobile somewhere along the route. He will then continue to the Basilica. (You will probably have to be in Brookland to see the popemobile then.)

Thursday, April 17: 5:15 PM. The Pope will travel in his popemobile from the Catholic University conference hall to the John Paul II cultural center. This will be a short route and probably will be very crowded.

On all other occasions, the Pope will travel as part of a Secret Service motorcade. There will probably be several decoy limos, and you will not be able to spot the Pope as he travels from one place to another. You will not be able to drive past his limo because the streets will probably be closed when the limo passes through, nor will onlookers be encouraged. (The Secret Service has a lot of experience escorting foreign dignitaries like this, and security will be professional and tight.)
 
Also, if you live in DC, your parish will probably be distributing tickets to the Papal Mass this week. Keep an eye out and see if you were chosen!
 
I’m guesing that you live in North Carolina. It’s a long trip to DC by car. We drive around DC on our way to visit our son in Wilmington, NC. I also wonder how much your children will get out of it. At those ages, will it mean anything to them? I would be concerned about having children those ages in what will undoubtedly be incredibly large crowds. Maybe you should consider going alone or with some other adults, and leave the kiddies at home (with a reliable babysitter, of course).
Just my thoughts.

Peace,
Linda
 
PaulinVA said:
I know he’s the Pope. But, he’s just a man. A very holy man, but just a man.

There is no way that I would wait around with or without the kids so that when a car goes by I can jump up and down and shout, “I SAW THE POPE. I SAW THE POPE”. How unseemly.

Yes, I would certainly go to the mass at Nationals Park if I had gotten tickets. THAT is the chance of a lifetime.

As Catholics we sometimes tread very closely to creating “cults of personality” where we lose sight of Jesus in favor of one of his creations.

Sorry if my views offend anyone.
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He isn’t just a very holy man…

He is the Vicar of Christ on Earth!!!

What is wrong with being excited to “see” him? Anyways, one doesn’t go just to jump up and down and say “I saw the Pope” (though many of us might do that), one goes to welcome him to our country, he came to visit his “flock” here in the US. It is also refreshing to see so many other Catholics, of every shape and form, age and ethnicity (a great example to our family). There are so many reasons to go and so many benefits (including receiving his blessing) that I only wish I could go too!

I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to “see” JPII 5 times, and every single time it was waaay worth any trouble I may have had to go through. I would love to be able to go see our new Pope.
 
Hey sanctamaria17,

What will you be doing as a volunteer for the papal visit?
 
id go!!! especially if you are not doing anything and they are having a parade!! even if you cant actually “see” him it would be a great catholic experience for your kids to see everyone else around…maybe try telling your wife that you will miss out on so much in life if you worry… but you’re going to see the Pope… how dangerous could it be?

i am going to the youth mass, and my mom is going to the one in ny…check out these sweet shirts i ordered online:)

b16tshirts.com/
 
I am one of those wives probably much like yours. My husband does many things with our children, and for the first 8 years of our parenting careers I would argue. We butt heads on so much and I was so angry that he would risk the kids’ safety (or so I thought).
Through much prayer I came to this understanding. What if my husband wants to take the kids to DC to see the Pope. I argue, cry and put my foot down, so they don’t go. Instead, he opts to take them to a very safe, benign activity, like bowling. On the way they are hit by an 18 wheeler, and God forbid…
My point is that through my obedience I have learned that I will be blessed. I will trust in God, period. He might actually be keeping your kids from a dangerous situation, if only we had the wisdom to “let go and let God”. You are their father, and have just as much desire for their safety as their mother. Yet, you also want to give them this tremendous experience. I believe God will bless her obedience and submission and your children will be happy and your marriage will be stronger.
 
I think you should take your kids to see Pope Ben, for sure! When I was in Rome at a Papal audience in St. Peter’s Square in 1998 and Pope JP II’s popemobile approached, there was such an aura of holiness eminating from the Holy Father, that I felt drawn to reach out and touch his hand as he passed by. Really, this was NOT something that I wanted to do at the time as I was a still a luke-warm Catholic, but I am so blessed to have had this experience.
Also, I went to Israel on pilgrimage with my church 2 years ago, and alot of folks said it was dangerous to go to the Holy Land…but a Priest told me not to worry, so I went and it was awesome, and not at all frightening. I would highly recommend visiting Israel as well as taking any opportunity to see the Pope!!!
FEAR NOT! God is in control.
God bless. el:thumbsup:
 
When Pope JP II was in Chicago, we went and took our one year old with us. It was amazing, and we took photos and remind our adult son now that he was there to see the pope. He still talks about those pictures even though that’s his only memory…the photos. I highly recommend it. And if you haven’t already checked out the uspapalvisit.org website yet…do it and show your kids the video finalists in the pope video contest. There is a wonderful one there done by the preschool and kdg.children of St.Michael’s church in MD that is amazing! Watch the expressions on your kids’ faces when they watch it with you. I wish I was there to see it myself.

Don’t hesistate…go!!!
 
Attention CAF members: we need you!

As you may have already heard, there will be two principal moments for a Popemobile Motorcade (route information below). What you may not have heard is that the Archdiocese is expected to be inundated by protesters from across the country who are also coming in to see the Pope. As a result, we are trying to mobilize all the faithful Catholic supporters to line the streets early. So grab your T-shirts, flags, banners, guitars, and please spread the word!
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  MORE ROUTE INFORMATION: 

  After the pope’s **April 16 **visit at the White House, **around noon****, the pope will travel in the popemobile to the Vatican Embassy on Massachusetts Avenue. From the White House, the route will follow Pennsylvania Avenue to Washington Circle. From there, the motorcade will head toward Massachusetts Avenue through Rock Creek Parkway, to the residence located across from the U.S. Naval Observatory.**

  The public generally can see the pope from the sidewalks throughout the route. Sidewalks immediately in front of the White House and Lafayette Park, directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, will be closed to the public. Washington Circle also will be closed as a viewing location.
 
There will be crowds of police so being along the route should be quite safe. Naturally, they don’t want someone to shoot at the pope. Of course I don’t know about where you will park your car.
 
THANK YOU to ALL of you who responded!!! You have provided my wife and I with quite a bit of information. I don’t know if it was a result of your responses (which she read), your prayers, or mine, but my DW and I have decided that the kids and I will go to DC after all!! YEAH!!! Thanks again!!! I appreciate each of your responses and prayers! See you and the Pope in DC!!!
 
Hello, nc guy.
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  I would recommend going with a group from your church if you can.  If not, maybe you can enlist another family member (your sister, brother, cousin, whoever is available) to help you keep track of your kids in the large crowds.  Maybe if you make these suggestions/offers to your wife, she'll let you go then.  If she still won't then she's just being unreasonable and you should just go anyway.  Nah!  Just kidding.  I don't know what to tell you if she won't go along with the extra help idea.  I think it's a great idea, and I'd do it myself.
Tracy
 
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