Faster Than a Speeding Popemobile: Benedict in D.C.

BEFORE HE MADE HIS WAY down Pennsylvania Avenue NW in his Popemobile this afternoon, Pope Benedict XVI must have received a lesson in D.C. driving.

He didn't slow down. He didn't stop unnecessarily. But he did wave politely. (That must be a new part of the training that most of us didn't get.)

I arrived at Pennsylvania Avenue and 22nd Street NW at about 10 minutes before noon, when the pope's motorcade was scheduled to leave the White House, where the pontiff had been meeting with President Bush, up Pennsylvania and toward Observatory Circle, where he's staying while he's in town.

It was warm and sunny, and crowds lined both sides of the wide boulevard, with police barricades and dozens of officers blocking them from touching the asphalt. Cops were also shooing onlookers off of railings, flowerbeds, stairs and other elevated viewing spots, perhaps out of an abundance of caution for the pope's safety.

The crowd ranged from infants to the elderly, but it was heavily peppered with students from nearby George Washington University. Among them were Kristin Karcsh, Lindsay Melvin, Laura Wunk and Taylor Donohue. They came out to pack in a few extra memories before three of them graduate later this year.

So, they came. They saw. And, yes, they bought the T-shirt. One for each of them, in fact — all emblazoned with the pope's picture and purchased from one of several street vendors prowling the crowd. (They said Karcsh was the first to cave.)

The shirts were going for $10 each. Another vendor I approached (he's pictured at right) was hawking Benedict buttons for $5 and pennants for $10. Pope prices ain't cheap.

When the pontiff's motorcade finally began rumbling up the street just a few minutes after noon, the crowd surged toward the police barricades. Camera-equipped cell phones dotted the air above people's heads as each clamored for the pope's attention.

They had to move fast — the Popemobile spent about a minute in my line of sight. It was surrounded by police cars and guards. Trailing it were the kind of black Suburbans that are common sights for Washingtonians. The very somber-looking guys holding guns who were poking out the back of the gas guzzlers are a bit rarer sight.

Benedict himself seemed jolly enough despite being under glass and heavy guard. He took care to wave to both sides of the crowd in equal measure, but those with banners and the sounds of musicians who'd hoisted a large, golden cross above them also appeared to grab his attention.

Amanda Leslie, who took in the event with her friend and fellow GW student Marianna Yazbek, noticed the pope's musical interest. "There were people playing music down the street and he waved to them," she said. "He seemed very friendly."

But a little too speedy, perhaps.

"I thought the Popemobile would be going slower," she said.

Brian Cogan, who stood further down the street, agreed.

"It went by too quick," he said. "Good thing I didn't have to come too far to get here."

Nick Umbs, who stood with him, seemed more impressed.

"It was tight to see the Popemobile," he said. "I'd always thought it looked like a big fish bowl, but it's really a Mercedes."

Mary Kay Thornton traveled a bit further than many — from Warrenton, Va. — to catch a glimpse of Benedict. It was actually her second pope viewing — she'd seen Pope John Paul II in Denver in 1993. "I was much closer this time," she said. "I thought it was great. Absolutely worth [the trip]."