Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Pope Benedict XVI


( This photo was taken by the IMF Photographer)

I am not Catholic, but it was pretty cool seeing the Pope. He is visiting the US and for a few days he's creating quite a stir in DC: he just visited the White House, on Sunday he will perform a Mass Service at the new Nationals stadium opened recently in DC and for those who want to find out more, there is plenty of info here

I work on Pennsylvania Ave, three blocks away from the White House, so it was convenient for me to go up on the roof and see the street wide open and the entourage driving slowly up from the WH. The Popemobile was covered so from the top I could only see the arm resting on the rail. It was cool to hear the crowds singing 'Hallelujahs', playing guitars and all sorts of instruments, and dancing. The Catholics sure know how to show adoration to their Pope. I wonder if they were yelling and clapping as much knowing that the Pope didn't come to DC empty-handed. It turns out that recently the Vatican has officially came up with seven brand new sins:

1. 'Bioethical' violations such as birth control
2. 'Morally dubious' experiments such as stem cell research
3. Drug abuse
4. Polluting the environment
5. Contributing to widening divide between rich and poor
6. Excessive wealth
7. Creating poverty
(My 'strong' source was this article on DCist.com)

While he was passing by, all I could do was pray for him. I had a genuine prayer going up to heaven for him and his ministry on Earth.

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