What would Pope Francis do? He’d let his people go.
Tourists visiting St. Patrick’s Monday, reacting to a Post story that exposed a no-public-restrooms policy at the cathedral, agreed the icon of Roman Catholicism in New York should follow the Pope’s lead and make itself more accessible.
“That’s his policy — having the church open to everyone, reaching out to the poor. Letting the public go to the bathroom is a part of that. They are spending millions, how much can a toilet cost?” said Michael McManus, of San Diego, mentioning the Fifth Avenue church’s $180 million restoration.
“Hopefully it would be more than one,” added his wife, Sandra, as they left the landmark.
Another visitor, Kevin Veitch, 62, of Newfoundland, said public bathrooms would be right in line with Pope Francis’ approach to the papacy.
“It would be a great gesture to offer the convenience — to take care of the everyday person, which I think goes along with Pope Francis’ message. Don’t you?” Veitch said.
Barry Jenkins, of Sydney, Australia, agreed, saying it would be “un-Christian” for the church to not let the public use bathrooms when they are provided for clergy and lay staffers.
“My reaction to the pope’s election was that he was more in tune with his flock and the public in general. The phrase used, I think, is ‘people friendly,’” he said.
Anne Bhabha, a 70-something visitor from Toronto, said Francis’ humility would lead him to provide his flock’s comfort.
“It’s a great idea. There are a lot of people here. They are tired; they are here for a long time. And I think Pope Francis would agree with that. He is honest enough; he is humble enough,” she said.
The Post reported on Monday that St. Patrick’s — unlike other major houses of worship in the city, and even St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome — does not allow the public to use its restrooms.
Instead, visitors are told they must hold it or head over to a small public bathroom in the atrium of an office building across Fifth Avenue.
Pope Francis has won praise from Catholics worldwide for his common touch — and disdain for open displays of opulence.
In March, he removed a German bishop from his local diocese after the $43 million pad he was building for himself caused an uproar.
Monsignor Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst from Limburg had been suspended in October pending an inquiry before he was officially given the boot.
An Archdiocesan spokeswoman earlier told The Post the cathedral has never offered public restrooms, and that the lack of facilities is not connected to the ongoing renovations. The rep did not respond to requests for further comment on Monday.