Apr 8, 2008 / 04:25 am
During his April visit to New York City, Pope Benedict XVI will be the recipient of a unique gift—a papal themed skateboard. The unusual gift will be presented to the Pope when he meets with the youth in Yonkers, and is the fruit of a skateboard design contest for local youth.
The Archdiocese of New York has been holding a contest to design the best “Official Papal Skateboard”. In an effort to include the public, anyone with internet access is now able to vote for their favorite design from amongst the three finalists. http://www.papalskateboardjudge.com/
At least 70 children have entered the competition. The winner will receive three tickets to a youth rally at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York, where organizers hope to present a skateboard bearing the design to the Pope. Replicas with the winning design will be sold for charity.
NY1 News reported one entrant’s account. Kristina Melendez said, “I put ‘Christ Our Hope’ in Latin, because that was the main language of the church back then.”