I don't know, is a full scale military ceremony an appropriate greeting for an avowed man of peace?

[bklyncowgirl]

Maybe it's just me but Pope Francis does not look like a particularly happy camper during this White House ceremony. I did like his little Fiat though--I wonder if it irked him that it was surrounded by enough armored Suburbans to raise the climate a few degrees by themselves.

[MohRokTah]

1. He's also a head of state.

This is a typical protocol for any visiting head of state.

[librechik]

2. oh no they didn't

oh yeah, they did...

[Hortensis]

3. Bklyn, this is a "full scale military ceremony"

THIS is an honor guard practicing the day before:
Sorry, couldn't find a picture with more than a couple soldiers at attention during the ceremony.

[Laurian]

4. Relax. It's just pomp and ceremony.

If the reception had been low key, that would have been criticized.

President Obama's remarks are what I'm focusing on.

[riversedge]

5. This pope knows sometimes country's need to fight tyranny.. It was the American Revolution

that was on display (I missed some of it).


But I have to admit your thought crossed my mind until I talked myself out of any qualms.

[procon]

6. I was wondering about that too.

Even if the military presence is part of the traditional ceremonies maybe they shouldn't have been in so prominently positioned in the foreground. It would have been wonderful to see children greeting the pope, or the families of service members.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

7. This was the formal ceremony.

There will be plenty of children and others to greet the pope - including the Obama and Biden kids.

Just an aside - Michelle nailed it with that dress - gorgeous and perfect for the occasion.

[tabasco]

8. Swiss Guards at the Vatican

Those pikes were used to pull men off horses and then stab them.

[MohRokTah]

9. Were Barack Obama to go to the Vatican, the Swiss Guard would be a part of the greeting ceremonies.