Abbey-Roads2

Live Papal coverage.

Journalists and waiting crowds grew slightly impatient and wondered what took so long for the Holy Father to emerge from the plane after landing at Andrews AFB.  As I mentioned earlier, Holy Father had instructed Monsignor Ganswein to call me as soon as they landed, which he did, hence the delay in leaving the aircraft.   They were a little frustrated because I didn’t answer the phone at first - people who know me understand that.  Monsignor called back, and after his third attempt, I answered.

I explained I had been watching EWTN’s live coverage of the landing, and hadn’t realized he would be calling so quickly.  He laughed that characteristic Bavarian laugh and said Holy Father knew I wouldn’t answer right away and that he kept repeating, “Georg, keep calling until he answers!  I’m not getting off this plane until he answers the phone.”  (Isn’t that cute?)

What went on in the Papal plane?

Our conversation must remain private of course, but Monsignor told me I could repeat the following little anecdote.  Minutes before landing, the Pope asked Georg to get him another cocktail, but when Monsignor signaled the flight attendant to ask him, the attendant came over to him, and playfully slapping his arm said, “Listen Father, now’s not the time to be drinking!”  Giggling, the attendant sashayed  towards the front of the cabin for landing instructions.  We had a great laugh over that.

(This report was supposed to be posted on Abbey Roads 1.  I have so many blogs I can’t remember what goes where.)