pope-a-licioius
So, apologies in advance and I’m prepared for the onslaught of sacrilege-accusing mail. I really don’t mean any offense, it’s I just… I so don’t get this whole Pope thing. But why mock it myself when Fox news has done so for me. Except I don’t think they meant to. I bring you actual quotes from DC Fox News “live continuing coverage of the papal visit” (so funny I had to delay watching top chef and i’m thinking Jon Stewart’s writers can probably take the night off and just show this.)
The quotes (again, DIRECTLY from channel 25, foxnewsdc. Thanks foxnewsdc!)
- “That may have been the reason for his smile as he hopped in his popemobile…”
- “two Catholic schoolgirls were invited inside…”
- photo caption: “Dillon Smith: met the pope”
- news segment caption: “What a day!”
- “now, on the first day everyone was a bit reserved, but today they really warmed up…”
- caption: “what’s next???”
- “it’s all about getting it right for the pope”
- “among the devout, who skipped school and work for this moment…”
- “the seats are squeaky clean and they’ll stay that way but come daybreak on thursday, they’ll be filled… (re: nats park)”
- “even if they don’t get to see the man just being close to the holy father is thanks enough”
- “just a note on what you can’t bring, besides the obvious, weapons, no whistles”
- “then on the news edge: things you need to know before going to the mass”
- and my personal favorite, “our pope coverage is far from over, coming up, some pope bloopers!”
then they segued to the VT anniversary.
Mike Klein said,
Wrote on April 17, 2008 @ 2:44 pm
Hi Jennie…
Interesting piece. Cute in parts.
While there is much to be made light of here, a Jewish person saying ‘I don’t know what this pope thing is about’ speaks to willful ignorance.
We Jews often demand respect (and inoffensive behavior) from other faiths on a continual basis.
But what would it be like to actually learn what’s required to empathise with a Catholic who, in sitting in Nationals Stadium, was coming to grips with being in the presence of God’s living representative on Earth?
I’m not saying you have to buy Rome’s theological and political agenda. But to see it through the eyes of someone for whom this week’s visit was more holy than humorous. My suspicion is that it would make you a better writer at least.
All the best from the NL,
Mike Klein
Washwords said,
Wrote on April 17, 2008 @ 4:09 pm
Thanks Mike. But “we Jewish people” (which I hadn’t id’d myself as here, but have no problem with, of course) DONT (with all sincerity) get what it’s about, or, at least, this one doesn’t. I guess that’s because I come from a religious tradition where are leaders are mortal teachers/facilitators, where questions are ENCOURAGED especially of authority, and where I have never been asked to see any leader as divine. That’s my personal upbringing, not my Jewishness talking although it informs it of course.
My larger point though was the way Fox News turned the whole thing into relig-o-tainment. and by the way, vendors were selling pope on a stick “snacks”, benedict “football style tees,” the “mass pass” and well, you get the picture. I was as aghast at this as I am by the “holocaust museum and lunch.” (yippeee!) packages or the way people think it’s at all acceptable to go to a church/museum/artwork_by_children_in_concentration_ camps and laugh/chew gum/yuck it up. It’s appauling. truly.
I sincerely do appreciate the counsel to try to be that person seeing this as a living representative of G-d. It’s hard to do but i could try and will.
the thing is though, I just don’t believe that’s what the majority of this town was doing in their pope-mania. It’s certainly not what fox news was offering up.
yours in the us of a,
me
Some guy named "me" said,
Wrote on April 17, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
One thought on the media and the Pope. Wasn’t not too long ago that “Popemobile” was used as a humorous and perhaps slightly derogatory name for the transport of His Holiness? At what point did it become an acceptable name for his automobile? I read it in the papers and hear it on the tv news on a regular basis now, and it still rings false to me.
Maggie, dammit said,
Wrote on April 17, 2008 @ 6:39 pm
When I was a kid I remember seeing the Pope spoofed regularly on Saturday Night Live. There’s nothing wrong with humor, you know? I’m thinking Mike Klein was a bit harsh here. But perhaps I’m sensitive from recent goings on on other sites.
Whatever, I thought this was hysterical. That’s all I wanted to say. 🙂
soupisnotafingerfood said,
Wrote on April 18, 2008 @ 5:50 pm
This was my favorite: On WTOP, the teaser for the upcoming traffic report: “Coming up – how the Pope is affecting your commute!” Because really people, isn’t that all we give a rat’s ass about in DC? Like, forget that this was a historic visit that touched many individuals (not me, but lots of other people) – all of a sudden it’s relevant to ALL of DC because – horrors – you might hit traffic b/c the Pope’s in town!!!
Of course I had to go around the other side of the Beltway to get from Columbia to Crystal City on Thursday. But was I bitter? Nope. All for the greater good. (right.)
soupisnotafingerfood said,
Wrote on April 18, 2008 @ 5:51 pm
Oh one more thing. I second “Some guy named me”. The Popemobile references have been bothering me all week, but I didn’t know exactly why until he articulated it. WTH???
washwords said,
Wrote on April 18, 2008 @ 8:46 pm
thanks everyone for the spirited and thought-provoking discussion on The Papal Visit! I really meant no offense, just observations as always, with my typical snarky eye. Anyway, you all made me think and laugh. Cheers! (and p.s. why was it STILL so bad on the metro etc. around town? eek.)