A few details about the papal plane

Posted on 15 April 2008 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The Holy Father is travelling on an Alitalia Boing 777 (let’s hope they don’t lose his luggage) together with 101 other people, including journalists, who have the honor of paying 3200 Euros to travel on the plane (this is one reason why I have never even applied to go on the plane).  

The plane, like Gaul, is divided in three parts.  Forward, there are compartments for the Pope and his immediate helpers. After are the journalists.  The Holy Father has an office with a table and six chairs, and a bedroom with a kneeler and crucifix.

The Pope has a boarding pass, by the way.  He didn’t pay for his own ticket but he does have a boarding pass.  The first name lists "Papa" and for a last name "Benedetto XVI".

The plane has a small podium for the Pope to give a press conference.

With him are 3 cardinals, 2 bishops, 7 priests and 18 laypeople.

And… just to fill some space… a report from TG24:

[flv]08_04_15_B16_ped_priests.flv[/flv]

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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10 Comments

  1. Father Bartoloma says:
    15 April 2008 at 8:19 AM

    “The plane, like Gaul, is divided in three parts.” I burst out laughing in my office when I read that. Gave me a flashback to Latin II with Sr. Giles!

  2. Prof. Basto says:
    15 April 2008 at 8:20 AM

    Thanks for that. Very interesting

  3. Terth says:
    15 April 2008 at 8:26 AM

    If anyone could post pictures of this plane, I’d love to see them.

  5. David Andrew says:
    15 April 2008 at 8:56 AM

    What about poor Georg? Certainly he’s got a ticket to ride!

  6. TNCath says:
    15 April 2008 at 9:14 AM

    Msgr. Georg is on board. Saw him in a photo from “another blog.”

  7. pseudomodo says:
    15 April 2008 at 1:03 PM

    Run spell check!!

    Oh.. wait a minute…

    Boing IS spelled correctly!! It’s just not the make of the aircraft!

  8. Johnny Domer says:
    16 April 2008 at 12:18 AM

    I’m sure the woman in that video was hired to be a news anchor purely because of her fantastic journalistic skills and not because she’s very attractive.

    Sorry, attractive female anchors are a pet peeve of mine…what does having them say, other than “Our main concern is ratings, even if it’s at the expense of sound journalism”? Maybe I just give too much credit to anchors…

  9. Nick says:
    16 April 2008 at 3:25 AM

    Thanks for the info on the Pope’s plane and for the news video! :)

    P.S. I like the anti-spam word. Summorum Pontificum – it fits right in with the blog!

    P.P.S. I could use a little less V-neck bodice and a little more modesty, anchorwoman. Not to get off topic.

  10. Alice says:
    17 April 2008 at 6:58 AM

    Wow, I have never heard anyone (anchorwoman) speak so fast in all my life!
    Did she once draw breath?

    I wonder if the Holy Father has to take any notice of the cabin crew showing where the nearest exits are how to secure the oxygen on the person beside you first?
    Maybe instead of adopting the ‘brace’ position, it’s a ‘get down on your knees and start the rosary’ position. Just for the Holy Father!

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