I gotta agree with @vermontaigne, here: the Independent sounds downright grumpy about Pope Francis I’s continuing refusal of the temporal luxuries that come with his new status.
In his continuing quest to show what an all-round great guy he is, Pope Francis has had a new passport and I.D card produced so that he can travel the world without ‘enjoying any priveleges’ [sic – ML] others might not get.
The head of the Catholic Church has asked his birth country of Argentina to renew his travel documents so he can travel as a regular Argentine rather than as a privileged citizen of the Vatican City, the country’s interior and transportation ministry said on Monday.
I’d wonder what Pope Francis I could do that would please the Independent, only I expect that it would involve the words ‘grease fire.’
Moe Lane
Technically he IS the Head of State of the Vatican City and entitled to a very special passport. However, nothing precludes him from renewing his original passport from his country of birth. Argentinian Government could refuse to renew it just out of spite.
I believe that if they tried then there would shortly be a new Argentinian government.
That would be a great stroke of fortune for all, especially the Argentinians.
“I’d wonder what Pope Francis I could do that would please the Independent”
Give up that icky religious stuff, of course! Admit that unlimited abortion and euthanasia are fine, etc.
Don’t get me wrong–they’d still hate the Church, they’d just be happy if he did those things.
Of course, their happiness would last about 24 hours and then they would find something new to whine about.
There is too much stuff on the Pope as celebrity. I am sort of interested when he is preaching on something like any other man of God, but I have zero interest in what sort of socks he wears.