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Holy water: U.S. Rep. Brady helps himself to pope’s glass

THE HEAVENS may know that Pope Francis on Thursday addressed a joint meeting of Congress, a glass of water by his side. It may not be as widely known that U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, D-Philadelphia, was keeping an eye on that glass of water.

THE HEAVENS may know that Pope Francis on Thursday addressed a joint meeting of Congress, a glass of water by his side. It may not be as widely known that U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, D-Philadelphia, was keeping an eye on that glass of water.

The pope sipped from the glass at least three times during his speech, Brady told the Daily News on Thursday night. And as the Holy Father left the chamber - and as many a legislator tried to make contact with him - the congressman calmly headed to the lectern and delicately picked up Papa Francisco's glass, holding it by two fingers, one at the bottom of the glass and one at the rim.

Brady then walked back to his office, carrying the glass and water and accompanied by his wife, Debra, and two staffers.

(It may be significant to note here that Brady had pulled the same stunt at President Obama's first inauguration.)

Once he was safely in his office, Brady told the People Paper, "I took a sip out of it." So did Debra and the two staffers, who snapped pictures to commemorate the event.

"How many people do you know that drank out of the same glass as the pope?" Brady asked.

Not a question we ever dreamed we'd have to answer - but, what, maybe four people?

Brady also spread the holy-water joy to other legislators. He called U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., into his office, and Casey brought along his wife and mother. The three dipped their fingers into the glass. Pictures were taken, joy was in the air.

Brady said he then poured the rest of the water into a bottle and will use it to bless his four grandchildren, who range in age from 7 to 18, and his 1-year-old great-granddaughter.

Where's the glass, you may ask? Brady is keeping it in a brown paper bag. After the papal visit, he will give it to Philadelphia police to dust it for fingerprints to prove its authenticity, he said Thursday night.

"They're pretty busy right now."

On Twitter: @ReginaMedina

Online: ph.ly/DNEducation