Saturday, June 09, 2007

Dummy

U.S. President George W. Bush (L) presents Pope Benedict XVI with a walking stick, hand carved by a former homeless man from Texas, during their meeting at the Vatican June 9, 2007. REUTERS/Plinio Lepri/Pool (VATICAN)


I'm not concerned for the tender sensibilities of Joey Ratz or the Catholic church, but shouldn't we expect the President to have some sense of decorum? Shrub gets pretty ticked off if people don't genuflect to him.

News24: Bush in holy gaffe

Vatican City - US President George W Bush drew gasps at the Vatican on Saturday by referring to Pope Benedict XVI as "sir" instead of the expected "His Holiness", pool reporters said.

They could clearly hear the US leader say "Yes, sir" when the pope asked him if he was going to meet with officials of the lay Catholic Sant'Egidio community at the US embassy later during his visit.

A handful of pool reporters were on hand as Benedict greeted Bush at the door of his private library ahead of a private audience of about half an hour.

On his way to see the 80-year-old pontiff, the US leader apparently recognised someone he knew, and could be heard greeting the person with a casual "How ya doin'?"

The pool reporters also noted Bush's relaxed posture, crossing his legs "Texan style" while facing the pope across his desk in the private study of the apostolic palace.

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