Bobbleheads, Cheese and Earrings—Pope Swag You Need Now
When I first visited St. Peter’s Square about 15 years ago I was delighted by my purchase of a beer bottle opener with Pope John Paul II’s likeness on it. I called it my pope-ener and to this day I bring it out to show off at barbecues.
With Pope Francis making his first visit to the United States this week there is no shortage of pope swag hitting the shelves in New York, Washington DC and Philadelphia.
Everyone wants a little piece of Francis kitsch to take home, even non-Catholics.
Related: Is Pope Francis the Patron Saint of Tourism?
“I am seeing all kinds of Philadelphians come out,” said Laura Lewis, a manager at the Center City shop Tselaine on Walnut Street, not far from where the pope will be celebrating mass on Ben Franklin Parkway later this week. “I am seeing people of all religions buying stuff. I’ve sold a ton of things to people from all different faiths.”
Tselaine has been selling out of all manner of pope swag from lapel pins to earrings to bobble head dolls.
Down the street, the baby store Born Yesterday has seen a run on Pope Onesies and stuffed animals.
“This is the third shipment we have had to order since June,” said store clerk Coco Curtosi.
Get themn while they’re hot. Here are some of our very favorite pieces of pope paraphanalia worth shelling out a few bucks for.
1. Pope Toys
A pope-mobile souvenir sits on a shelf at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Monday, Sept. 21, 2015, in Washington. Pope Francis will celebrate Mass Wednesday at the basilica, the largest Catholic church in the United States and North America, with a crowd of about 30,000. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Related: No Big Deal—I Booked the Pope on a Plane
2. Pope T-Shirts
Photos and souvenirs of Pope Francis are displayed as Delfino Cantu, right, and Valencia Cantu, of Corpus Christi, Texas, mull over the purchase of coffee mugs at the gift shop at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. Pope Francis will celebrate Mass Wednesday at the basilica, the largest Catholic church in the United States and North America, with a crowd of about 30,000. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
3. Pope Onesies
These unisex pope onesies have been flying off the shelves at the Born yesterday store in Philadelphia. (Photo: Jo Piazza)
4. Pope Bobbleheads
The Pope bobblehead is becoming nearly as popular as Rocky dolls in Philadelphia. (Photo: Jo Piazza)
5. Pope Earrings
Perfect for the ladies in your life, the likeness to Francis here is questionable, but they sure are cute. (Photo: Jo Piazza)
6. Pope Mugs
Fashioned after the Robert Indiana LOVE statue in Philadelphia’s Love Park, these mugs are on sale all over Philly right now. (Photo: Jo Piazza)
Related: 18 Things You Have to Do While You’re in Philly for the Pope
7. Pope Necklace
More adorable pope jewelry on sale at Tselaine in Philadelphia. (Photo: Jo Piazza)
8. Solar-powered Popes
When powered by sunlight, Francis will wave piously to you all day long. (Photo: Jo Piazza)
9. Pope Cheese
South Philadelphia’s Pastificio Homemade Pasta Co. is crafting six-inch-tall, one-pound blocks of mozzarella cheese in the shape of Pope Francis. (Photo: Pastificio)
10. Pope Toast
Available only on the Internet, this toaster will emblazon any piece or ordinary bread with Francis’s likeness at the low price of $48.95. (Photo: ToastThePope.com)
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