ROME, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles) – Pope Francis’ long flight from Manila to Rome was a great opportunity for journalists to ask the pontiff questions ranging from his impressions of Sri Lanka and the Philippines to the expected Vatican encyclical on climate change to the Pope’s scheduled visit to the U.S. this fall.
The Adobo Chronicles chose to ask the Pope a question that has been nagging many people who have closely watched Francis’ travels abroad.
It is common knowledge by now that Pope Francis prefers to carry his own bag — that Italian leather bag often seen in photos and videos taken of the pontiff, especially during his recent visit to the Philippines.
We asked the Pope what was in his leather bag. He revealed it to us on the condition that we keep it confidential. So we will honor our commitment.
But we’d like to ask our readers: What do you think is in the Pope’s leather bag?
ON BOARD THE PAPAL PLANE TO THE VATICAN (The Adobo Chronicles) – In his very own words, Pope Francis has confirmed that he will be visiting the United States this fall, with stops in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
The pontiff made this announcement on board the Philippine Air Lines plane that took him from the Philippines to Rome. Francis just concluded a highly successful visit to the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
Immediately after the announcement, various U.S. agencies and groups went on overdrive and announced plans and concerns about this coming historic visit.
The Republican-controlled Congress is very nervous about its stance on global warming. The Pope is expected to issue an encyclical shortly, urging action on climate change which is contrary to what Republicans believe and stand for.
House Speaker John Boehner, a Roman Catholic, is considering proposing new legislation to tax the rich and provide tax breaks for the middle class and the poor, just to impress the pope. Francis is known to be a staunch advocate for the poor.
The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly working nonstop to accelerate the filing of criminal charges against American priests charged with child sexual abuse, and to resolve these cases before the fall.
Law enforcement agencies in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. are putting together plans to deal with crowd control during the Pope’s visit. They are seriously considering similar measures adopted by the police in Manila during the Pope’s visit. They will require police officers and traffic enforcers to wear adult diapers to prevent them from having to leave their posts to answer the call of nature during the Pope’s public appearances.
New York officials want the Pope’s visit to be alcohol-free. They are proposing to close all Irish pubs in New York for the day.
President Obama promised not to complain about the American Catholic clergy during his welcome speech at the White House. Obama said that what Philippines President NoyNoy Aquino did in Manila during the pope’s visit was utterly childish.
Security for the pope will be a top priority. The three states to be visited by Francis have ordered drones to beef up their surveillance measures.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York will be renamed St. Francis Cathedral in time for the papal visit.
There will be widespread protests in major West Coast cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Denver for not being included in the papal itinerary.
ON BOARD THE PAPAL PLANE TO THE VATICAN (The Adobo Chronicles) – We at The Adobo Chronicles feel truly blessed for having had the opportunity to cover Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines. More than One Million people viewed and followed our exclusive coverage in just the last four days and hundreds of Filipinos and non-Filipinos shared their comments, praised as well as criticized our coverage — all in the spirit of free speech and universal brotherhood and sisterhood. By the way, our coverage was brought to you by … Pepsi.
As we wrap up our coverage, we would like to share our list of top ten accomplisments of the papal visit.
Political corruption took four days off. It’s now back to business as usual.
President NoyNoy Aquino had the last laugh after shaming local church leaders in front of the pope.
Filipino priests and clergy have started to sell their smart phones on eBay after being admonished by Pope Francis to give up worldly possessions.
The Aquinos and Marcoses have finally reconciled, thanks to the yellow raincoat Imelda Marcos wore at the papal mass in Tacloban.
A new movie idol is born – a very good-looking Theologian who sang the responsorial psalm during the papal mass at the Manila Cathedral.
President Aquino, who complained about criticism of his thinning hair by the clergy, received a special gift from Pope Francis — a skullcap to cover his head.
President Aquino quit smoking. He now inhales holy incense instead.
Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, are back in jail after a 5-day reprieve to impress the pope.
Visitors to The Vatican will now have a new painting to look at, bearing the images of Pope Francis, Vilma Santos, Marian Rivera, DingDong Dantes, Coco Martin, Kris Aquino and Senator Grace Poe. It will be displayed at the Sistine Chapel.
Speaking of Kris Aquino …well, we’d rather not say!
ROME, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles) – Pope Francis’ long flight from Manila to Rome was a great opportunity for journalists to ask the pontiff questions ranging from his impressions of Sri Lanka and the Philippines to the expected Vatican encyclical on climate change to the Pope’s scheduled visit to the U.S. this fall.
ON BOARD THE PAPAL PLANE TO THE VATICAN (The Adobo Chronicles) – We at The Adobo Chronicles feel truly blessed for having had the opportunity to cover Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines. More than One Million people viewed and followed our exclusive coverage in just the last four days and hundreds of Filipinos and non-Filipinos shared their comments, praised as well as criticized our coverage — all in the spirit of free speech and universal brotherhood and sisterhood. By the way, our coverage was brought to you by … Pepsi.
The Adobo Chronicles 
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