Let's see, how does it go? "Chingle bell, chingle bell, chingle bell rock..."
Panda Rosa | 11.28.06 - 1:32 pm | #

He's making a list, and checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty or nice, Papa Benny's coming to town...
Catherine | 11.28.06 - 1:48 pm | #

HA! Perfect!
Madame Sosostris | 11.28.06 - 1:52 pm | #

That's some cape he's wearing. Is it that cold in Turkey right now?
Kasia | Homepage | 11.28.06 - 2:57 pm | #

Kasia:

The Istanbul forecast I was able to find calls for high-50s/low-60s F during the day this week, so it's not really that cold. I believe, however, that it is the appropriate season for the Pope to be wearing the winter mozzetta, which is what he has on in this picture. Kind of like not wearing white shoes after Labor Day.

(Others can correct me if I'm making a papal fashion faux pas....)
Nicholas | Homepage | 11.29.06 - 1:18 am | #

Thanks Nicholas! Well, it's a magnificent cape - mozzetta, you called it? - and it becomes him. I just kept thinking that it seemed more fitting for a land of snow and ice, like northern Finland or Narnia during Jadis' reign.

I have so much to learn about papal fashion. I wouldn't even know if you'd made a faux pas...
Kasia | Homepage | 11.29.06 - 9:41 am | #

Kasia,

For fun and insight, there's a book called "The Church Visible" by James Noonan (not perfect, but quite good, and some stylin' pictures) that gives a good outlay of papal and hierarchical fashion, as well as tips on how to arrange the table when the pope or Patriarch of the West Indies comes over for dinner.
Tim Ferguson | 11.29.06 - 10:41 am | #

Ooo, thanks Tim! I'm going to have to look for that.

Just so long as he doesn't wear the mozzetta to my house...my cats would just LOVE it...
Kasia | Homepage | 11.29.06 - 1:23 pm | #

Benedict, he'd be down with the cats.

Did I just say "he'd be down with the cats?" Am I channeling the spirit of Huggy Bear?
Tim Ferguson | 11.29.06 - 2:00 pm | #