Pope Benedict XVI just completed a historic visit to Washington, D.C. and is now in New York City. I had the unique opportunity to see his Popemobile parade pass through on my lunch break from work on Wednesday. As a Catholic, it was unlike anything I have ever seen before. For those of you who aren’t aware of what the Popemobile is, it’s a vehicle that the Pope rides around in during his stays at various countries. The vehicle changes with each country (which I just learned this week!) D.C. chose a white Mercedes with a phone-booth like structure in the back.

Anyway, during his stay, the Pope has made many interesting remarks. He did something particularly unprecedented while here; in addition to celebrating Mass at Nationals’ stadium for more than 40,000 people, he met privately with victims of the church sex abuse scandals. He also sat through talks with President Bush regarding peace in Islam. I think that although many say he lacks the charisma Pope John Paul II did, he is making a conscious and generous effort to reunite not only the Catholic Church, but the religious everywhere.

As a Catholic, seeing the Pope was very surreal. Not only is he a world leader and a foreign dignitary, he has this sort of rock star quality among the faithful (he made some old ladies near me along the parade route cry). I was wondering, what are your thoughts on Benedict XVI? Do you think it is hard for him to be an influence, as he is not only a political but a religious leader at the same time? Despite a few traffic tie-ups on my morning commute this week, I thought he had a very successful visit.