Bob Brady confirms he still possesses the Pope’s drinking glass from the Philadelphia visit.

Bob Brady, a former U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania, recently addressed a long-standing anecdote regarding his acquisition of a drinking glass used by Pope Francis during the pontiff’s historic address to Congress in 2015. Brady’s actions garnered national attention, sparking both criticism and intrigue over the years. In light of Pope Francis’s death on Monday, Brady reflected on his memories of the Pope and clarified details about the controversial episode.

During Pope Francis’s six-day tour in the United States, which included stops in Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, D.C., he made an address that captured the attention of the nation. Among those present was Brady, who represented Pennsylvania’s 1st District at the time. After the Pope took sips of water from a glass placed at the lectern during his speech, Brady seized the moment and retrieved the glass, a decision that would soon become the subject of widespread media coverage.

The incident quickly went viral, earning Brady a mix of accolades and derision. He even held a press conference to discuss his decision to take the glass, which he humorously faced backlash for during appearances, such as on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Colbert’s satirical remarks about the glass, referring to it as “papal backwash,” added fuel to the story’s virality.

However, Brady clarified that he acted with the Pope’s consent. He stated that he sought advice from various individuals, including the Sergeant at Arms, for permission to keep the glass. Notably, he reportedly paid .75 to the Department of Treasury for the item. Brady, a devout Roman Catholic, was keen to confirm that retaining the glass did not contravene any religious principles. He even approached a nearby Cardinal for reassurance.

Upon meeting Pope Francis again at the airport, Brady sought the pontiff’s blessing to keep the glass, to which the Pope responded positively, encouraging him to share the remaining water with children. Following this, Brady rejuvenated the glass’s contents, maintaining that additional water poured into it would also hold blessings from the Pope.

Brady later shared that numerous individuals asked to bless themselves using the water, including prominent figures such as former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Bob Casey. During further interactions with the Pope, Brady was again encouraged to share the blessed water, highlighting the impact of the moment on those around him.

Today, Brady retains the glass, which is displayed prominently in his home. Reflecting on the Pope’s character, Brady expressed sorrow over Francis’s passing, recalling the warmth and kindness he experienced during their encounters. This retrospective sheds light on a lasting memory tied to a significant figure in contemporary history.

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