Flash: Pope Benedict *will* tour in popemobile during Washington DC visit

American Papist ^ | January 31, 2008 | Thomas Peters

[NYer]

*FLASH*

Buried deep in the story, but it originates from a knowledgeable source:

Susan Gibbs, communications director for the Washington, D.C., archdiocese, said there will be plenty of other chances to see the pope. She said Vatican officials this week agreed to take the "popemobile" out for a spin several times while the pontiff is in the nation’s capital, making papal sightings more possible for the crowds expected to line the streets. The routes have not yet been released, Gibbs said.

This update reverses earlier reports that there would be no popemobile touring during the visit. Hoorah!

My complete coverage of Pope Benedict's April visit to the USA here.

Information on how to secure tickets to attend the Papal Masses here.

[NYer]

[Hoodlum91]

Awesome! I know my chances to attend the Mass will be slim, so this will be a great alternative.

[ConorMacNessa]

I’m auditioning for the choir for the Papal Mass in Washington - hopefully I will make the cut and will be close enough for a good pic.

[NYer]

I’m auditioning for the choir for the Papal Mass in Washington - hopefully I will make the cut and will be close enough for a good pic.

Wow! Hopefully you'll be close enough to get a good shot of the pope's secretary - Msgr. Georg Ganswein ;-)

Seriously, do you live in the DC area? Did you apply or were you approached by your choir director? Please keep us appried of the outcome.

[kevinm13]

In my lifetime, I have been blessed to see 2 Popes.

Pope Paul VI in Rome at St. Peter’s on a high school trip in the 1970’s and Pope John Paul II in the Popemobile in Toronto in the mid-1980’s. I look forward to seeing Pope Benedict XVI some time soon, hopefully this year in his travels.

[ConorMacNessa]

Our choir director received a notice from the Archdiocese inviting singers to audition and passed it on to everyone in our choir. I understand that it’s going to be a 250 person choir. I live in Laurel, MD about halfway between Washington and Baltimore.

[Barnacle]

I’m glad that the Pope is coming to America.

I hope he can be as much an inspiration as JPII.

[Salvation]

OH, to be there!

[Salvation]

Wow! Good luck in your audtions!

[NYer]

In my lifetime, I have been blessed to see 2 Popes.

You're making me feel like a dinosaur ;-). My mother took me to Rome at age 5. We attended a general audience with Pope Pius XII!! And, yes, I still remember the trip. The room was packed and my mother and I were separated by the jostling crowd. I recall being frightened and then 2 brown robed arms lifted me up, placed me on sturdy shoulders, grabbed my mother's arm and escorted outside. To this day, I have great love and respect for the Franciscans.

[SlapHappyPappy]

I wish I had a Popemobile.