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On Fri 18, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will fly into New York—on a plane, not through the power of Jesus—for a three-day visit. What do you do if you find yourself running into him on Fifth Avenue or at Yankee Stadium? (Hint: Not a bro hug.) We tapped Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, to guide us through the holy encounter.
Step 1: Dress smart
And conservatively. The Pope doesn’t like your baggy-ass jeans and Tevas, nor does he brook ruffians who don hats in his presence. Conversely, ladies should keep their heads covered. “Business-casual is fine,” says Donohue.
Step 2: Kneel or bow
Drop down on your left knee as if you were about to pop the question. (The right one is reserved for kneeling before Christ.) If you’re standing in a marsh or happen to be wearing ceremonial robes, it’s permissible to bow from the waist instead.
Step 3: Smooch that ring
If he offers it to you, take the pontiff’s right hand and kiss the Ring of the Fisherman. Not a Catholic? Content yourself with a handshake. Donohue says the kiss is a bit of a formality: “From what I’ve heard, this Pope doesn’t get caught up in pomposity.”
Step 4: Reflect
Congratulations! You can now rest easy knowing that you didn’t offend Christ’s Vicar on Earth. (We’re assuming, of course, that you’re not gay, pro-choice, a stem-cell researcher or a Resident Evil 4 fan.)
—Drew Toal
Follow that Popemobile!
Wanna hang with a holy man? Here’s his sched…
Fri 18, 10:45am: Addresses the U.N.
Fri 18, late afternoon: Visits Park East Synagogue
Sat 19, 9:15am: Mass at St. Patrick’s Sun 20, 9:30am: Visits Ground Zero
2:30pm: Mass at Yankee Stadium
8pm: Flys back to the Vatican
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