Apr 5, 2008 12:00 pm US/Eastern
Ambulance For N.Y. Papal Visit Was Blessed
NEW YORK (AP) ―
It's hard to find anything surrounding the pope that does not get blessed -- including his ambulance.
While there's no reason to believe Benedict XVI will need medical attention during his visit to the city on April 18-20, the vehicle was sprinkled with holy water on Friday.
The new ambulance, which is to ride in Benedict's motorcade wherever he goes, was blessed at St. Vincent's Hospital by Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Vatican diplomat coordinating the visit. A team of 14 paramedics will staff the vehicle 24 hours a day in shifts.
"This ambulance will be a part of the very warm and caring welcome that New Yorkers are giving to the pope," said Migliore, who was joined for the ceremony by Bishop Nicolas DiMarzio of the Diocese of Brooklyn.
Four of the paramedics also received a blessing.
"It's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said paramedic Rhoda Chambers.
For Kenny Karger, it was the second time he staffed an ambulance for a papal visit, having done the same when Pope John Paul II was in New York in 1995.
"I don't care what faith you are, it's fascinating to have the opportunity to meet any dignitary, wherever they're from," said Karger. "And whether you like someone or not, it's still fascinating to get the opportunity to meet them and say, 'Wow, working on this ambulance has gotten me five feet from this person."'
(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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