It was worth the try.

Attempt at crashing the Pontifical Mass in Bethlehem: Failure.

So. Pope's in Bethlehem Square today, being all papal and whatnot. I never got around to finding a ticket to the mass, but figured I might as well try and get in.

I managed to get one of the police who knows me to let me through the first checkpoint, but the second checkpoint was a no-go. I might've been able to sweettalk them into it, but I hit right at the time as they were shutting down entrance for anyone, invitation or no. Ah well. I have a few pictures of people's backs.

I backtracked to George's shop and watched some of the mass on television, then went on to teach at Beit Sahour. It was interesting to see how the school was going about its business, with only a mention here or there about "Baba" being in town. A very Lutheran moment in many ways.. to have the Pope in Bethlehem itself, and yet continuing on in daily life. Looking back, I probably got more out of being with the kids than I would've by being 100 yards away from the Pontiff, barely participating in a service I couldn't consummate because of a word choice in my definition of Real Presence.

Ah well. I just hope that I can get through to Jerusalem tonight. The walk-through checkpoint is closed entirely (wouldn't want to let anyone get to work on Pope Day, after all).