That's really nice. Now why was he really holding that thing?
Kevin Athaide | Homepage | 10.10.07 - 10:04 am | #

In an effort to make the introductory rites more appealing to young children, the outgoing papal master of ceremonies replaced the traditional aspergillum. "Aspergesme, Domine, balloon, et mundabor . . . ."
John V | 10.10.07 - 11:42 am | #

Thanks for linking the Most Touching Video. This is a moving message of God's Love. I'm glad to have a morning cry!
GibbsMed | Homepage | 10.10.07 - 11:46 am | #

New from Gammarelli's:

Balloon croziers for balloon liturgies

B16 is given a prototype crozier meant for some bishops from the 'left coast' when they come for their ad limina visit. (little do they know that His Holiness has a sharp pin tucked under his zucchetto which he uses to pop the balloons AND the crazy ideas of some contemporary ecclesiastics)
Father John Trigilio | Homepage | 10.10.07 - 10:12 pm | #

Yes, obviously the work of Marini. See Msgr Gaenswein trying to get it out of the Pope's hand? "Nein, mein Pabst, nein!" Is Marini just going to step up "teh crazy" from now until the end???

(No, just kidding - seriously, who will we blame for gaffes once P. Marini's gone? Ooooor, maybe there won't be so many? Hmmmmm . . .)
Meg Q | 10.10.07 - 10:35 pm | #

I like the look on that security guard's face in the lower right hand corner. He's probably thinking, "Do I need to pop that balloon? Is there anything hidden in it that could be a threat to the Holy Father?"
You know that guy's a papist!
Dcn. Gregory Plow, TOR | 10.10.07 - 11:17 pm | #

THIS should be an argument for the return of the feathered fan! Flagellum?
Panda Rosa | 10.11.07 - 11:34 am | #