The Shoppist Guide: 5 Shops With the Best Pope Memorabilia

So you’ve made the decision to brave the streets of Philly during Papal Visit 2015; your shopping game face is on and you’ve mentally prepped (or prayed) that you can handle the insanity of the crowds. Your mission? To score the cutest, quirkiest Pope merchandise for you and your out-of-towner family and friends. We’ve already looked into which boutiques are staying open this weekend, and now we have the scoop on which of our favorite shops are carrying the best (read: not cheesy) gifts and souvenirs to commemorate this historic Philly moment. Because bootleg Pope tees sold on street corners are so not the things to buy. 

Occasionette // Go Here For: Pope Home Decor
South Philly’s cutest home and gifts shop is selling handmade tea towels and navy canvas tote bags printed with owner Sara Villari’s sweet Pope Francis sketch and quote: “I Survived Popedelphia” printed in gold ink. They’re totally adorable, and the perfect take-home gift.
Open Thursday-Friday, 12pm-8pm; Saturday, 11am-8pm; and Sunday, 12pm-5pm. 1825 East Passyunk Avenue, South Philly, 215-465-1704.

Open House // Go Here For: Solar Waving Popes and Plushes
Okay, so these are a tad hokey, but Open House is so cute, we’ll forgive them. They’re stocked with solar-powered, waving Pope Francis figurines; smiling, plush Pope dolls; and, for the traditionalist, custom printed posters that combine the Philly LOVE sign with Papal Visit 2015.
Open Thursday-Sunday, 10am-8pm. 107 South 13th Street, Midtown Village, 215-922-1415.

Tselaine // Go Here For: Artisan Pope Goods
Sure, you’ll find Pope bobbleheads and those solar-waving Popes (both of which we’re told are close to selling out), but the real gems here are one-of-a-kind, laser-cut P-O-P-E necklaces and post earrings by VINCA, and Tiny Saints Pope Francis charms, which are surprisingly popular with dog owners. Plus, you don’t want to skip over this shop’s impressive window display.
Open Thursday and Saturday, 11am-7pm; Friday, 12-7pm; and Sunday, 12-5pm. 1927 Walnut Street, Rittenhouse, 215-301-4752.

Philadelphia Independents // Go Here For: T-Shirts and Tumblers
Support the designs of independent artists at this Old City shop by buying “Holy Pretzel” Pope tee-shirts by Mora Mosley, “Pope Tote” canvas bags by Sweet Domino Designs, and WWII-inspired Papal doodles by South Philly’s very own Hog Island Press. When the day is over and done, kick back and have a drink in Francis’s name with this ceramic Pope tumbler.
Open Thursday-Saturday, 11am-7pm; and Sunday, 11am-5pm. 35 North 3rd Street, Old City, 267-773-7316.

TownHome // Go Here For: Religious Jewelry
While this jewelry shop isn’t carrying Pope Francis-themed items, they do have a gorgeous selection of religious jewelry. Look out for handmade pendants by Heather B. Moore and colorfully beaded crucifix bracelets by Sky Jewels.
Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm; closed Saturday and Sunday. 1616 Walnut Street, Rittenhouse, 215-972-5100.