On Thursday, Pope Francis delivered a historic speech before the US Congress, calling on American lawmakers to work for the common good, and for the interest of the poor and the oppressed.
One Catholic lawmaker, however, was anticipating something aside from the Pope's speech. Even before the Roman Catholic leader made his address, Democratic Rep. Bob Brady of Philadelphia had already asked the House leadership for the glass where Pope Francis will drink, CNN reported.
Immediately after the Holy Father left the chamber, Brady headed for the lectern where the Pope spoke, and delicately picked up the glass where the Pope drank at least thrice during his address to a joint meeting of Congress.
"I saw the Pope drinking out of it three or four times and I thought it would be a great idea ... for me to have something of a remembrance of Pope Francis. I just saw the glass, I walked up and picked it up and kept it," the Congress member shared.
Brady brought the glass to his office, and took a sip out of it. His wife, Debra, and his two staff members, also did the same thing.
Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, along with his wife, mother and Rep. Joe Crawley also went to Brady's office. They dipped their fingers in and "blessed themselves," Brady said.
Brady then poured what was left from the water into a bottle, which he will use to bless his four grandchildren. He also said he will keep the Pope's glass as "family heirloom."
Why did the Catholic lawmaker do all these? Brady explained that he believes the water the Pope drank is holy, according to CNN.
"I'm sure it's blessed if the Pope drank out of it. Why not? If not, I'm saying it is," the congressman said.
"How many people do you know that drank out of the same glass as the pope?" he added.
