He is of my vintage. Getting your license was an important entryway to the adult world back in the seventies, and learning to navigate traffic and open spaces was, and is, a must in Illinois. I bet not being behind the wheel will be a cause of regret for him. It can be enjoyable and once you have mastered the art, letting anyone else do the driving is a tad uncomfortable for many men of my age.
Pope Driver
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
That’s too bad for Il Papa. It must be a little constricting to some degree for him now.
I hate being driven around. I see this “passenger princess” trend rising and it isn’t exclusive to the young ladies. Fortunately, I also see enough young people (girls and guys alike) who are aching to get their licenses, so there is hope for the future.
So, maybe time for a Pope-and-driving-related joke (from back in the day of Papa Pacelli, Pius XII, who loved to take the wheel occasionally and reportedly would gun it as fast as it would go):
An Italian motorcycle cop spots a black limousine just flying down the road, way over the limit (even for Italy!). He eventually gets the car to pull over. The tined driver’s side window goes down, and lo, and behold! there is Papa Pacelli behind the wheel.
The cop is flustered, stammers out an apology, and takes his leave. The car speeds off around the mountain bend (or whatever).
Back at the station, his sergeant asks why he didn’t write him a ticket or at least a warning.
“I didn’t dare,” the cop explained. “I don’t know who was in that car, but he must be pretty important if the Pope was driving him.”
Ha! As I was told by an Italian motorist, what is behind us does not matter!
Fr. J. that story is exactly where my mind went!
I’m teaching my oldest to drive and I don’t like not being the one behind the wheel.
My 17 year old got her P license last Thursday. We are all relieved but at the same time (as many parents of teenagers can attest to) have now inherited another set of concerns- praying she is always safe. St Christopher has had an avalanche of prayers.
If the Pope wants to drive himself around once in a while (obviously with security), I don’t see the issue.
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The Sacred Heart of Jesus protects drivers on the road.
I am with you on this, Mr. McClarey. As long as I am not in heavy traffic at rush hour, I find driving relaxing.
I am glad to know our good Pope Leo does not have to worry about driving ever again, though. He has so many important duties and he seems to have hit the ground running from Day One.
He can keep up with his texting while he is being driven around! I understand this is also something he enjoys.
Peace to you and all here!
Raul Julia in the Gumball Rally, driving a Ferrari..”What’s behind me is not important!”
The 427 Shelby Cobra was in front of him ….
I would be crushed if I could not drive anymore. I have driven from Toronto to Key West, from Ocean City Maryland to Wausau, Wisconsin.
Cities include Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Jacksonville, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Charlotte, Buffalo, Columbus, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Denver and Dallas.