Tag Archives: U.S.

WHY POPE FRANCIS CHANGED PLAN TO ENTER THE U.S. VIA MEXICO

September 29, 2015 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

article-2561514-1B94DF3500000578-424_634x472 THE VATICAN, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles®) – Pope Francis is back in The Vatican after his successful visit to Cuba and the United States.

Unknown to many, the Pontiff had originally wanted to enter the United States from Mexico, crossing the U.S. Border between Tijuana and San Diego via a rented Fiat. It was a gesture that Francis wanted to undertake as a way of shining the spotlight on the issue of immigration.

Unfortunately, the plan did not materialize because of some passport and visa problems.

The pope has a Vatican passport which allows him to travel anywhere in the world as a head of state. But he also recently renewed his Argentine passport and national identity card.

Because entering the U.S. via Mexico was not part of his official itinerary, the Pope could not use his Vatican passport. He had to use his Argentine passport and needed an entry visa for the U.S.

Argentina is not among the countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) of the United States. The VWP exempts citizens and passport holders of the participating countries from visitor visa requirements.

Because the Pope’s decision to enter the U.S. through Mexico was last-minute, he didn’t have enough time to apply and secure a U.S. visa using his Argentine passport.

The immigration system of the United States is so broken that even the Holy Father is not immune from the strict and sometimes ridiculous visa requirements to visit the land of opportunity.

Business, International, Religion

FIAT CAR SALES IN U.S. TRIPLE, THANKS TO POPE FRANCIS

September 25, 2015 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

U.S. bishops welcome Pope Francis in Washington, D.C., as he alights from a tiny Fiat

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (The Adobo Chronicles® ) – Fiat, the Italian part of the global Fiat-Chrysler alliance, is having more and more trouble selling its small, inexpensive cars in America. Most recent data on “days to turn,” the average number of days dealers have cars in inventory before selling them, continues to rise for Fiat.

But thanks to the U.S. visit of Pope Francis, Fiat sales in the U.S. have more than tripled in just the last two days. This, after Catholic car buyers watched media coverage of the Pontiff’s activities in Washington, D.C., during which he has been transported from the airport to The White House to the U.S. Capitol and other venues in a tiny Fiat instead of the usual Cadillac limousines afforded visiting dignitaries.

Even in the Vatican, the Pope has traded his limousine and Popemobile in favor of a used Fiat.

Since becoming pope, Francis has led an uncomplicated life, rejecting the pompous and ostentatious ways of The Vatican. From shoes to garments, from living quarters to automobiles, he has chosen the way of simplicity and poverty.

Will this signal the end of Volkswagen’s and Toyota’s world dominance in automaking?

Politics, Religion

WHY JOHN BOEHNER SHED A TEAR DURING POPE’S VISIT TO THE CAPITOL

September 24, 2015 Pol Pinoy Leave a comment

WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles®) – We now know why House Speaker John Boehner shed a tear or two during Pope Francis’ visit to the Capitol this morning.

Millions of television viewers noticed the Republican leader crying and pulling out a white handkerchief to wipe his tears as the Pope delivered his speech before the joint session of congress, and again as the Holy Father greeted and blessed the crowd that gathered outside the Capitol.

Journalists and pundits speculated that Boehner, a devout Catholic, was overwhelmed by the rare opportunity to be with the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

But sources close to both Boehner and Pope Francis said that the real reason for the speaker’s tears was because the Pontiff had rejected his invitation to dine with him and other leaders of Congress, namely, Nancy Pelosi, Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid.

Francis told Boehner that he didn’t have the time because he already had confirmed an appointment to dine with the homeless at St. Patrick’s Church in Washington, D.C.

During his lunch date with the homeless, Francis was expected not only to eat with his guests but also to serve them.

Boehner said he cried not out of sadness for the botched invitation but more of disappointment. He said he had looked forward to spending a more intimate and quality time with the Pope.