The Thousands

How patronising is the Pope? Bouncing around in his Popemobile, waving and smiling and pandering to everyone behind three inches of bullet-proof plexiglass. Now that’s faith in action! I must say though, Ratzinger certainly does rock the holy garb in style. With his flowing white wizard robe and blinged-out, over-sized cross; he looks more like the Holy Flavor Flav than the Holy Father.

**Next week the Pope is coming to town… and ladies, he’s single. For six days, Sydney will be attacked from land, sea and air, as Christian ‘pilgrims’ journey from near and far to get a glimpse of God’s Dick Cheney. A rather fitting analogy I think, especially after seeing the Pope walking hand-in-hand with George Dubya last year. If you want to see The Ponificator in action for Christian Woodstock, he’ll be taking up residence at St Mary’s Cathedral House, a.k.a The Crypt. From there, he’ll tour Sydney; visiting handicapped children, talking shop with Canberra, praying, etc. He’ll also hit up the Victoria Barracks to embark on a ‘fly-around’ of the ‘Southern Cross Precinct’. Does anyone even know where or what that is? Another convenient WYD invention we’re sure. The finale for this pageant will be held at The Randwick Racecourse on the 21st. The book depository is just across the road…