Philly Landlords Are Cashing In on the Pope's Visit

Pope Francis is visiting Philadelphia at the end of September, giving worshippers the potentially transcendent experience of watching the leader of the Catholic Church celebrate mass. And giving local residents a more worldly opportunity: the chance to make bank by renting out their homes.

On Craigslist, a keyword search for "Pope" turned up 1,800 short-term rental listings for out-of-towners coming to Philadelphia during the papal trip. Some are insultingly expensive, such as an "elegant" four-bedroom townhouse listed for $150,000, or an 875-square-foot apartment listed for $20,000. (Those appear to be weekly prices; neither landlord responded to e-mail queries.) Other listings are downright odd. The owner of a 1993 Honda Accord is offering to park the car near a transit hub for some intrepid traveler willing to pay $30 a night to sleep inside. And for $75 a night, visitors with a more aquatic inclination can rent a bunk on the Battleship New Jersey, a decommissioned naval vessel that operates as a museum.