Not everyone thinks the Pope and/or the Catholic Church is the cat's pajamas:
The BBC airwaves have disgraced themselves. The Mail went mad with its front-page headlines, "Safe in Heaven" and the next day "Amen". Even this august organ, which sprang from the loins of nonconformist dissent, astounded many readers with its broad acres of Pope reverencing. Poor old Prince Rainier of that squalid little tax haven missed his full Hello! death rites through bad timing.
The arcane flummery brings forth dusty academics in Vaticanology, the Act of Settlement and laws of Monegasque succession. These pantomimes of power fascinate in their quaintness, but they signify nothing beyond momentary frisson.
She goes on to compare the Pope's death and funeral to that of Princess Diana, which for many is probably about right. I can't speak for devout Catholics, but for me at least the whole thing is just Another Famous Dead Person and an excuse to listen to one of my favorite silly Prince songs.
Posted by Jason at April 8, 2005 08:53 AM