The Pope visits New York

This is an old joke but, I think, a clever one. And I am sure most Catholics, and indeed most other Christians, can appreciate it. When I first heard it the city was Atlanta. I guess New York is topical for the current visit.

In my version of the joke the limousine driver is an elderly African-American. I have in mind someone like the chauffeur (played by Morgan Freeman) in the film Driving Miss Daisy.

Seems to me this little detail adds to the humour.

Thanks to Institute for Humanist Studies:

The Pope Visits New York

The pope goes to New York. He is picked up at the airport by a limousine.

He looks at the beautiful car and says to the driver, “You know, I hardly ever get to drive. Would you please let me?”

The driver is understandably hesitant and says, “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’m supposed to do that.”

But the pope persists, “Please?” The driver finally lets up. “Oh, all right, I can’t really say no to the oope.”

So the pope takes the wheel, and boy, is he a speed demon! He hits the gas and goes around 100 mph in a 45 zone. A policeman notices and pulls him over.

The cop walks up and asks the pope to roll down the window. Startled and surprised, the young officer asks the pope to wait a minute.

He goes back to his patrol car and radios the chief.

Cop: Chief, I have a problem.

Chief: What sort of problem?

Cop: Well, you see, I pulled over this guy for driving way over the speed limit but it’s someone really important.

Chief: Important like the mayor?

Cop: No, no, much more important than that.

Chief: Important like the governor?

Cop: Wayyyyyy more important than that.

Chief: Like the president?

Cop: More.

Chief: Who’s more important than the president?

Cop: I don’t know, but he’s got the pope DRIVING for him!