Pope mania

Muslim clerics often complain of the commercialisation of the holy city of Mecca during the annual Haj pilgrimages, but for Pope Francis’ visits to New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia in mid-September, street vendors and entrepreneurs already appear to be eclipsing Mecca’s experience.

Merchants said they’d be selling, among other items, mozzarella cheese statuettes of the pope (at $20), a “pope toaster” to burnish Francis’ image on bread, a Philly-themed bobblehead associating the pope with the movie boxer Rocky, local beers Papal Pleasure and YOPO (You Only Pope Once) and T-shirts proclaiming “Yo Pontiff!” and “The Pope Is My Homeboy”.

The Wall Street Journal quoted a Philadelphia archdiocese spokesman admitting that “you kind of have to take it in stride”.

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