Random Thoughts: The Pope in America, part 2 ~ NYC

The Pope came to New York City and did the whole tourist thing. You know, Ground Zero, the UN, St. Patrick's Cathedral. Of course, he did it like a celebrity, which indeed he is, and he had to werq it! No kicking back at a Broadway show or BB King's. No, the current King of Catholics had speeches to give ~ all with messages of peace, love, the true meaning of being Christian, and cautioning us on the environment.

Instead of selfies, there were press photos. Instead of subways, there were motorcades. Instead of staying at a hotel, he and his staff were put up in a five-story townhouse on the Upper East Side as befits a diplomat and dignitary. And he had scads and scads of security and rode in a bullet-proof car. He didn't bring along a bottle of pepper spray like the one you brought to the City in your handbag.

Pope Francis is known for eschewing a lot of Vatican haut couture in favor of his trademark simple, white outfit. And, even though it's after Labor Day, white is what he wore in NYC, but he added some fabulous accessories like the green cape he wore to St. Patrick's Cathedral. At one point, I think he wore something purple! I wonder how many white frocks His Holiness has. Do they get dry cleaned or are they tossed in a washer and dryer? And who handles his holy underwear? Boxers or briefs? Doesn't this Pope ever slip into the Vatican's Prada slippers? I would in the privacy of my own bed chamber! But I digress.

I got an uplift seeing how area residents who awaited the Pope on Fifth Ave, and stood in front of Trump Tower, booed and jeered The Donald. One of the Pope's messages in NYC was about the spreading of wealth and his empathy for the poor. Got that, DT?

In the Bronx, Pope Francis cookies were made, tastier than communion wafers! The city, borough to borough, had Popemania! Time Out NYC gushed they had "Popestatic pictures."

On my part, I have to tell you all how much respect and love I have for this new leader of the Catholic Church who practices what he preaches. An excellent example for all humanity worldwide. Maybe, before he leaves NYC, he'll march in a parade down Third Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, past my house, where I can see him. After all, seems like everyone else has done it. Why not him?

Random Thoughts: The Pope in America, part 1

The Prez and Pope share a good laugh after reading Leave It to Beaverhausen

Yesterday, a gentleman arrived from Rome; he wore the yarmulke and I stayed home.

The Pope arrived in Washington, DC, to the cheers befitting a rock star as he stepped from his Alitalia flight, not a private jet. I wonder if he insisted on flying coach! It would be cool to sit next to His Holiness on a flight as I know a lot of good nun jokes he might get a kick out of.

I admit I'm a big fan of this guy. I was born and raised Catholic and, as far as I'm concerned, he is the perfect model of what Catholicism ~ and, indeed, Chistianity ~ is really all about, including his humbleness and modesty. Rock on, Papi, rock on!

He met with the President and First Lady ~ two more of my favorite people ~ on the tarmac at about 4 pm EST. Tea Party people are madder than wet hens. They're all about God and country until it doesn't suit their agenda; then they're about disrespecting religions, smearing people like our Pope as "leftys" and favoring social anarchy. Like making pronouncements that one only need follow the law if one believes in it. Well, try telling that to a cop and see where it gets you! And, hey, this Pope used to be a bouncer at a club in Argentina, and when he laid his mitts on you back then, it wasn't in an effort to heal you; so, watch your mouths if you know what I'm sayin'! Bette Midler Tweeted: The Pope is visiting the US! He cares for the poor and respects the environment - how long until he's labeled a "dangerous foreign radical"?

But the Prez and Big Daddy get along just fine. They're of like minds, they're men of peace, and they genuinely seem to like one another. I get such joy watching them talk and laugh together. Two kindred spirits.

As a teenager, it began to dawn on me that democratic socialism and Christianity made fine bedfellows. Jesus' message, after all, is to help the poor, the needy, the hungry, the outcasts! Well, now, listen to me go on! My, why, I should become a priest. Father Buddy. After all, I've got the celibacy part down pat! I just worry I'd gossip about what I heard in the confessionals.

So, welcome to our shores, Pope Francis! NYC awaits you... and I'll have more to say about that when the time comes.

Pope Francis: Club Bouncer!

How cool is our new Pope? How down to Earth (no offense, as he is a mortal representative, after all)!

Today, His Holiness let us know he is not holier than thou by any stretch! In fact, he was once a bouncer at a Buenos Aires club! I mean, I think of him laying his hands on as a healer, not a big bruiser. But, hey, today he let us know he's a lover and a fighter. Kind of like St Peter at the Pearly Gates, denying access to heaven to sinners as I see it.

BuzzFeed reports: "After celebrating mass with the church of San Cirillo Alessandrino, the pope chatted with parishioners and said that his work removing troublemakers from clubs as a bouncer helped teach him how to bring people back into the church when he became a priest.

"Although the pope’s past job as a bouncer was first reported by Gazetta del Sud and [UK's] The Telegraph back in March, this is the first time that Pope Francis has spoken about it publicly since ascending to the papacy. As a teenager, the pope also worked as an assistant in a chemical laboratory."

Well, hello, pugilist Papi!