Philadelphia Residents Get Ready For A Visit From Pope Francis With 'Pope Cheese' And Papal Beers

In September, Pope Francis will spend six days on the East Coast, visiting Washington, D.C.; New York City; and Philadelphia — and some people are celebrating with pope-inspired foods.

It's not a bad strategy, given that Pope Francis has always been quite vocal about the importance of food as a matter of public health.

In Philadelphia, locals are preparing for the papal visit with a few choice edible arrangements, so to speak. One woman, Joan Leitner, happened to find some mozzarella cheese shaped like the Holy Father, which she intends to deliver personally.

"When I first saw it, I thought it might be a little irreverent," Leitner told The Wall Street Journal. Then, her pastor told her to go for it, and she decided, "I was right with it — I'm in." Thanks to Philadelphia's Pastificio Homemade Pasta Co., she now has four such "pope cheeses," which cost her $20 each. 

For those who like their daily bread with a reminder of the pope's calm countenance, there's the Pope Toaster, and for those who prefer to raise a glass to the pope, there are a number of honorific beers, like "You Only Pope Once," and "Holy Wooder."