Petition Asks Pope Francis to Fix DC Metro

The much-maligned Metro system’s users are calling on a higher power to fix the transit system: Pope Francis.

A Change.org petition named “Get the Pope to bless the DC Metro system so it actually works” had more than 750 signatures as of 2:30 p.m. Tuesday – and support was growing.

The oft-criticized rail system had service interruptions on Monday for a portion of the Blue, Orange and Silver lines following a fire that morning at a power substation in the area of Stadium-Armory. A January 2015 fire at the L’Enfant Plaza station left one passenger dead and scores of others injured.

The petition was started by user Noah Rosenheck of Washington, D.C., who wrote, “At this point I’m willing to try anything.”

His message to the pontiff was short and sweet:

Dear Pope Francis,

Our Metro system is having some troubles. All of DC would be grateful if you could find the time to bless it during your upcoming stay. Maybe a Papal Blessing is just what it needs.

Even Metro officials agree that divine intervention from the pontiff couldn’t hurt. Metro spokesman Dan Stessel told WTOP that the agency is open to a blessing from Pope Francis.

“It can only help,” Stessel said. “If the Holy Father is willing to send a blessing our way then we’re willing to accept it.”

Petition supporter Hayley Margules added: “Please sign this, even if you don’t live in DC. The metro literally bursts into flame HELP. US.”

While supporter SL Keys said, “Let’s be honest, what we really need is an exorcism.”