Bush has made several blunders during his audience to Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday

[dajoki]

Blunders Mark Bush Audience with Pope Benedict XVI
9 June 2007, Saturday
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=81670

The US President George Bush has made several blunders during his audience to Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday.

Bush called the Pope "Sir" instead of using the generally accepted form of address "Your Holiness".

World media has also reported of the US head of state's free manners that were not corresponding to the Vatican's strict etiquette. As an example, the journalists gave the fact that Bush was sitting in the typical "Texas" pose with his legs folded.

<<snip>>

The pontiff has asked Bush about the three-day G8 meeting and the president described it as a "successful" one, adding it had contained "a lot of different opinions".

<<snip>>

Asked if his dialogue with Mr. Putin - closely watched because of a number of sharp disagreements between Russia and the West - had been good, Mr. Bush responded with a smile as reporters were being ushered out of the room.

"I'll tell you in a minute," he said.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I think it is intentional. His way of telling the Pope who is REALLY

the most powerful man in the world. Or maybe it's the intolerant protestant in him. :shrug:

[DURHAM D]

2. I could care less if forgets a few of the

Vatican imposed rules. Good grief and so what.

[Benhurst]

3. When in Rome, do as the Romans. Bush is an ill-mannered lout.

He may think he was showing contempt for the pope; but he was merely showing what an ill-bred, ignorant, little man he is.

He may be feared for being the madman he is; but no one respects him.

The World's Only Superpower. What a pathetic, muscle-bound, bankrupt dump.

[Captain Hilts]

4. Well, if you accept an invitation from Cardinal Rat, you play by his rules...

If he weren't under Cardinal Rat's roof, then I don't think he has any obligation to address him as 'your holiness', as he's not an RC. In that case, 'sir' would be fine.

But, when you're under the Rat's roof, you play by the Rat's rules.

[mantis49]

5. I agree.

"Your holiness" sure wouldn't come natural to me. He's just another man in my opinion.

[DemBones DemBones]

8. The Dalai Lama is also properly addressed as "Your Holinesss."

Is that OK?

[mantis49]

9. He, too, is just a man.

Although maybe a little better one. "Your Holiness" is still a little much for me. Must be my latent Protestantism coming out! :eyes:

[DemBones DemBones]

13. The Dalai Lama is regarded as the reincarnation of previous Dalai Lamas

and the Pope is the Vicar of Christ and the successor of St. Peter as head of the Church. Remember Jesus saying "You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church," making a pun about the name Peter and the Greek petra for rock (though he originally made it in Aramaic with another name meaning "rock.")

Remember Jesus giving Peter the keys to the Kingdom? The succession of popes began with St. Peter. The papacy is a holy office.


If you're Protestant, you've probably called ministers "Reverend" or "Pastor," in deference to their holy offices.

It's the proper protocol, as is calling the Pope and the Dalai Lama "Your Holiness." The fact that some popes have not been very holy (and that may well be true of some Dalai Lamas, too) doesn't mean we drop the title.

Kings and queens may not be majestic and presidents may not be presidential but we call them "Your Majesty" and "Mr. President" just the same unless we want to seem to be ignorant and unmannered.

Quite a few "Reverends" have turned out to be undeserving of that title, too. One was just arrested yesterday for child molestation. He's 70 years old and was with MLK when he was killed, having worked with him for years and continuing in civil rights work after King's death. Sad.

[dajoki]

6. Yeah, but...

he has shown time and again he doesn't know anything about etiquette. The Queen, the back rub, etc.

[ananda]

7. well

when two crazy sexist assholes meet, whaddya
expect?

A lot of shit.

[alfredo]

10. Using the Baptismal Font as a spitoon was bad form, but I do have to say

the look on the Pope's face when bush smacked him on the ass was priceless.

[dajoki]

11. You're kidding?

smacked him on the ass?

[alfredo]

12. Me kid anyone?

[Hart2008]

14. Castro had better etiquette! How embarrassing!

What an ass!