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Pope Benedict Plans His Big NYC Visit

2007_11_popeben.jpgMark this in your calendars: NYC traffic will be bananas between April 15 and April 20, when Pope Benedict XVI makes his first visit to New York City.

Like many tourists to the Big Apple, the pope will visit Ground Zero - the Vatican says that he wants to show "solidarity with those who have died, with their families and with all those who wish an end of violence and in the search of peace." Unlike many tourists, Pope Benedict will address the United Nations on April 18 and give a public mass at Yankee Stadium on April 20. On other days, Benedict will be in D.C.

On Benedict's last visit to NYC, back when he was just Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in January of 1988, he was heckled by protesters for calling homosexuality a "moral disorder." And no word on what community groups the Pope might be interested in seeing, but we'd like to point out that Pope John Paul welcomed break dancers back in 2004. And Pope John Paul visited NYC twice - in 1979 and in 1995. But St. Louis University Catholic historian, James Hithchcock, said, "I don't think he is going to make the sort of impact John Paul did. Benedict can't do it and doesn't want to do it. think it's a very different kind of appeal.''

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Comments [rss]

  • matty

    "Speaking of the dark side, he does resemble the "emperor" in "The Empire Strikes back""



    yeah that was my point. google darth pope and see the awesome results.

  • interlard

    Will he do the beat box thing again, like in Lucy Daughter of the Devil?

  • Offbalance

    Ooh, goody. I work a block away from St. Patrick's, and I'm sure Emperor Popetine's visit will make my life nice and hellish.

  • ihateallbrokers

    wasnt he a nazi?



    can you be a "former nazi"



    will dov hikind be protesting with a bused in yeshiva students!??

  • obi juan kenobi

    Darth Benedict!!

  • freddyhere

    Speaking of the dark side, he does resemble the "emperor" in "The Empire Strikes back"...

  • Papercutninja

    I, for one, welcome Field Marshal Benedict.



    All kidding aside, i don't think he's evil. He's just a religious leader. I am surprised at how many Catholics there are and how much TV coverage is devoted to the pope's arrival.

  • matty

    if you only knew the power of the dark side...

  • TXinBklyn

    Been waiting for a while to hear when he would be in the US. Glad to see its not too far off and he'll be in NYC!

  • freddyhere

    Yes, he sure looks creepy...

  • natis

    Blairy Blair beat me to it. He looks like the epitome of evil.



    I think religion is the true "moral disorder".

  • Såkandulæredet

    ah i see he's plannin on celebratin Hitler's birthday

  • David

    Proud to be "morally disordered."

  • Dirk

    Great, just what we need... the Pope visiting...

  • BootyInMyEye

    i wonder how many blunts will be smoked in honor of the pope's visit on 4/20...



    to the pope! *puff*puff* pass

  • Blairy Blair

    The Pope looks evil!

  • TimSPC

    Like many tourists to the Big Apple, the pope will visit Ground Zero - the Vatican says that he wants to show "solidarity with those who have died, with their families and with all those who wish an end of violence and in the search of peace."



    Take that, Ahmadinejad!

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