Popedelphia



                Although I am no longer a Christian and people like me have a tendency to flee from the “the people of the book”. I am in amazement of the enthusiasm of Philadelphia and its environs over the visit of the Pope. The Philadelphia media has begun a manipulation and creative invention of the English language that can only be matched by Ursula K. Le Guin. Popemania, Popedelphia, Popepedia ,Popemobile are among the many invented words celebrating the pope’s coming. There was one article on a local tavern Pub on Passyunk East, nicknamed P.O.P.E. Everybody and everyone seems to be in on the act. The Inquirer has a series of articles that has covered everything from planning, to speeches, routes, ticketing and where the pope will reside during his two day visit September 26 and 27.
                He will give several speeches in the Center City area. This area has not only been designated but elaborately planned and designed by the Philadelphia Department of Public Safety. There are no traffic routes , except for emergencies, allowed through the corridor. Parking will also be restricted. I-95 and I -76 ,both east and west, will be blocked. US 1 from Route 30 will also be blocked. Persons entering this area will be required to have tickets and will have to enter through an electronic monitor. There are a few areas where the pope can be seen without a ticket. One of those area is around Independence Hall. People without tickets will be able to stand in the grassy knoll  at Franklin Square and see the pope.
                As one article after another expresses excitement about the visit. As WNEP, the News Station put it, “there was no way to miss that the pope is coming to Philadelphia. This is a city in a pope frenzy and nowhere is that more evident than around the Pennsylvania Convention Center. It has hosted the World Meeting of Families all week, the reason Pope Francis is coming here.
                The statements from the populace are geared to the excitement ,joy and elation of his visit.”If we can get within 30,000 people of him, we have died and gone to heaven.” One person said. “I can’t wait to see the pope,” a woman from Forty Fort ,PA stated. “ At mass it was so exhilarating, “said one worshiper ,”I didn’t see an eye that wasn’t tearful.”
                Philadelphia Magazine gave a list of 10 Things You’ll Only See in Popedelphia.
1.       Divided City
2.       SWAT Team Selfies
3.       Curious Juxtapositions
4.       Unexpected Obstacles
5.       Bagpipers
6.       Bottled Water
7.       Catering to the Media
8.       Conservative Activists
9.       The Rows and Rows of Porta Potties
10.   Foreign People
            In another article there were pictures of tractors and tents in the secure area. One newspaper  article spoke of a campsite in a cemetery hastily erected by the archdiocese and the Lutheran Church for people attending the pope’s visit. Among the reasons the pope chose to come to Philadelphia, according to the Public Record, “first , is the fact the very popular World Meeting of Families will bring on its own several hundred thousand of the faithful second, “the city located on the eastern seaboard and its cost is below those of Washington D.C. and New York, places the pope will also be visiting, and cheaper for those attending.” The article went on to talk about the advantages of public transportation. The  Philadelphia International Airport  and SEPTA were specifically mentioned.
                However, since this is a working class publication, we must deal with working class interests.  Once again , these interests have been woefully neglected. Because of overcrowding, a large number of Philadelphia are leaving for the shore. North ,South and West Philadelphia neighborhoods, close to the site where the pope will be speaking, will be turned into parking lots. Even for one of the world’s most progressive theologians this is a little too oppressive on a working class that must reside within the 40 square miles of Philadelphia.

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