By Mark Young, SouthFloridaReporter.com Managing Editor, Sept. 21, 2015 – Tens of thousands of people are heading to New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, for Pope Francis’ visit. The Pope arrives in Washington Tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday the Pope visits with President Obama, before participating in a papal parade around the Ellipse and the National Mall followed by an afternoon prayer session at Saint Matthew’s Cathedral.
Millions more are expected to watch televised coverage of the events.
Still others are trying to make money selling memorabilia of the historic visit. Here’s a look at the business side of the papal visit.
Business owners are offering up pope Tshirts, figurines and even beer to mark Pope Francis’ first official visit to the U.S. since becoming pontiff. Vanessa Johnston reports. From popeinspired beer to Pope Francis teeshirts… Businesses are gearing up for the pontiff’s U.S. visit next week. Retail Director, Amy Maloney, says the National Shrine Shops in Washington, D.C., are opting for decidedly more elegant souvenirs.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AMY MALONEY, DIRECTOR OF RETAIL AT THE NATIONAL SHRINE SHOPS, SAYING: “No, no bobbleheads, no pope plush dolls. I’m leaving that to the street vendors. The kitschiest thing we have is a popemobile and it’s been selling very briskly at $100.”
While thousands are expected to turn out Wednesday to see his holiness in the nation’s capital… Others can opt to escape the crowds at John Andrade’s Brookland Pint, maybe grab a righteous brew From Double Barrel Jesus to Epic Big Bad Baptist…or another very special creation.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) BROOKLAND PINT OWNER, JOHN ANDRADE, SAYING: “‘No Pope Till Brookland’. It’s a spinoff of another beer we’ve been collaborating on that is ‘No Sleep ‘Til Brookland’, which is a spinoff the Beastie Boys song, ‘No Sleep Till Brooklyn.”
The second stop for Pope Francis’ U.S. tour New York City.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) FELICIA BURRIS, VISITOR FROM ATLANTA, SAYING: “I think it’s wonderful. I think he is the best pope we’ve had. He’s a pope for the Generation Xers. I love him.”
The pope will wrap up his U.S. tour with an outdoor mass in Philadelphia on September 27th.
For those who can’t attend can always feel part of the action.
