Sue Conley, co-founder of Cowgirl Creamery
@ National Harbor
Q:What's your favorite food TV show or host?
A:"John Shields of 'Chesapeake Cooking.' He was a deep appreciation for local foods."
Popewatch: Where to Catch a Glimpse of Benedict XVI
SO YOU WANT to see the pope. Maybe you're a lapsed Catholic with a childhood attachment to the concept of papal authority. Maybe he reminds you of your granddad. Maybe you're a celebrity chaser. Maybe you think he's man's earthly connection to God. Whatever the reason, you're excited for a chance to gawk at Benedict XVI.
Well, you're in luck. Take a look at the schedule below and you'll learn not only where to see the pontiff on his way to and from various important places, but also where to get a bite to eat afterwards.
WEDNESDAY:
10:30 a.m. — The pope will take part in a little ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. He'll give a speech (ten extra Pope Points for chutzpah if the topic is "Free Tibet!"). Then, the president will give him a personal tour — maybe they'll clear some brush? — and by noon the pope will be on his way. You can find a copy of his spectator-accessible routes here
1 p.m. — The Apostolic Nunciature is basically the Vatican's U.S. embassy, and it serves as the Pope's digs for his two-day stay. He'll make the trek back there for lunch with some Catholic leaders (bishops and cardinals), and he'll be traveling by Popemobile from the White House. Your best bet for a viewing is Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and Washington Circle. Afterwards, head over to Breadline, for one of the most delicious sandwiches in existence.
5 p.m. — The pope will be giving a speech in the Basilica. You should be able to spot him from the south side of Michigan Avenue, in front of the church, as he goes in. His speech will be at 5:45 p.m. While you wait for him to come out (which should be around 7:30 p.m.), grab some dinner at Catfish Fridays, where they have wonderful, crispy soul food. What could be more appropriate?
» White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW; (202) 208-1631. (Farragut West)
» Apostolic Nunciature, 3339 Massachusetts Ave. NW; (202) 333-7121.
» Breadline, 1751 Pennsylvania Ave. NW; (202) 822-8900. (Farragut West)
» National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave. NE; (202) 526-8300. (Brookland-CUA)
» Catfish Fridays, 2312 Fourth St. NE.; (202) 526-2411.
THURSDAY:
10 a.m. — Two religions (Catholicism and baseball) collide at Nationals Park as the pope gives the homily at a stadium-sized Mass. If you couldn't get tickets (they were distributed mostly by Catholic organizations) you can watch it on TV. Most news stations are playing pope-related programming, and WDCW will be broadcasting the ceremony live.
4:40 p.m. — The Popemobile will make its way across the Catholic University campus. You needed to have tickets to see it, and those are long gone. We can't condone crashing, but hey, the pope would probably forgive you if you did. He has to, right? His Holiness will be giving a speech at Catholic and then Popemobiling around 6:15 p.m. to the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center.
» Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol St. SE. (Navy Yard)
» Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Ave. NE; (202) 319-5414. (Brookland-CUA)
Print
Addison Road
It is an honor to have Pope Benedict XVI in Washington, DC. I especially appreciate his concerns regarding the sex scandals in the Catholic churches here in U.S.
By Catherine , Posted April 16, 2008 7:14 AMI'm a Catholic with a good sense of humor and normally don't get upset over comments about the Church (the bobblehead wearing the wrong color skull cap didn't phase me), however I found the tone of this article to be tactless and belittling of the importance of the pope's visit to our city. I can get over the "pope and a sandwich" gag but beginning the article mocking our attachment to the pope and then ending with a lame joke about forgiveness came across much more like the author is too cool for school rather than actually trying to be helpful. It's not my business whether the author has any person affection for the pope, which by her writing she clearly does not, but a little respect for those of us who do would be appreciated.
By Elizabeth , Posted April 17, 2008 9:18 AM