Pope Watch: Part 2 (by Rose Marie Berger)
Sometimes I wish I could channel Washington Post fashion writer Robin Givhan. Then I'd be able to tell you why the pope was wearing bright red leather shoes.
I stood in the press corps balcony watching the popemobile flanked by black Escalades approach the John Paul II Cultural Center for Benedict XVI's interreligious meeting with faith leaders. He entered the brightly lit atrium to the subdued applause of the 200-member audience. As he stepped onto the riser to sit in the Papal Chair, there was a flash of red—like a cardinal darting from tree to tree over fresh snow.
I'm a cradle Catholic, but somehow I missed the fact that some popes wear flashy red traveling shoes. Perhaps I missed it because John Paul II—who was pope for 27 years—opted to break tradition and wore brown loafers as his "outside" shoes. But Benedict is a bit of a fashion plate and has returned to a papal tradition that some say dates back to the time of Roman emperors. Traditionally, they are made of Moroccan leather. They've been out of fashion for a while, but Benedict is bringing them back in. I mean, really, the man has so few ways he can accessorize!
In the case of the meeting with interreligious leaders, he also had to do something to compete with the compelling presence of Jordan's Queen Noor in her white silk caftan and diamond drop pendant. (It's good to know you can be one of the world's leading voices for banning landmines and still dress to kill.) The shoes the pope sported at the JPII Cultural Center were apparently made by his personal cobbler and are the "traveling shoes" that he will be buried in. I wouldn't recommend them for walking on water or fishing in, but they do draw a crowd.
Rose Marie Berger, a Sojourners associate editor, is a Catholic peace activist and poet.
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Comments
Excellent article. This is the type of analysis Beliefnet needs more often. Enough of the lengthy discussions of doctrine, theology, and justice. Give us more gossip!
Some people I know think that this site is a left-wing screed against tradition whose only purpose is to promote the Democratic Party's agenda. Now I can just show them this, and prove that it's actually a forum for unbiased, hard-hitting journalism and debate.
Posted by: Odin's Beard | April 21, 2008 12:22 PM
What's funny is that Berger has elsewhere called for the ordination of women priests--even attending pseudo-ordinations of fake priests as a sort of protest against the Catholic patriarchy. Here she is again making a strong case for feminism. A womyn pope would surely not make such a fashion faux pas!
Posted by: jesse | April 21, 2008 1:11 PM
I'm much too interested to hear what Pope Benedict has to say to notice his shoes - please.
I happen to admire this pope and really couldn't care less about what he wears.
Posted by: neuro_nurse | April 21, 2008 3:09 PM
As I understand it the Holy Father has to be careful not to click his heals together so as not to inadvertently transport himself to Kansas
Posted by: Michael Iott | April 21, 2008 3:25 PM
"hard-hitting journalism" That is a real hoot!!!
Posted by: d.e.sharp | April 21, 2008 4:07 PM
There's no such thing as unbiased debate.
Lighten up, people.
Besides, I'll take my lectures on poverty from someone who Doesn't jet around the world in a pair of $600 custom made red leather boots.
Posted by: whadda | April 21, 2008 4:22 PM
I doubt I would have noticed the shoes had you not pointed them out. Thanks
Posted by: Gordon | April 21, 2008 4:29 PM
So, why doesn't Obama wear a flag on his lapel?
Besides admiring the Pope, I think pretty highly of Queen Noor.
All the bloggers slammed the debate for asking questions that didn't relate to the issues. tsk. tsk.
Posted by: Barnaby | April 21, 2008 4:46 PM
I think the Pope stole Froggy-Doo.
Posted by: kevin s. | April 21, 2008 5:33 PM
Ya know, I'd be inclined to cut Sojo some slack on this puff piece if it weren't for the fact that this was the only original post of the day.
Feel that good about Barack's chances tomorrow, eh?
Wolverine
PS: Froggy-Doo?
Posted by: Wolverine | April 21, 2008 5:42 PM
People are so hard-hit by the economic situation that they become bitter and cling to fashion discussions as a way to explain their misery.
Posted by: I and I | April 21, 2008 5:44 PM
Maybe fashion is the opium of the masses
Posted by: Barnaby | April 21, 2008 6:11 PM
The red shoes represent the blood of the martyrs. Since these people were willing to die for their faith they deserve a little respect.
Posted by: Greenponder | April 21, 2008 6:12 PM
Thank you Greenponder. I knew there had to be a reason for it. It's nice to learn something when you read an article.
Posted by: Connie | April 21, 2008 6:29 PM
As a non-Catholic, yet from a liturgical church, I don't know the significance of the red shoes.
However... I noted...
*the Pope's apology and compassion towards victims of sexual abuse by priests, although there is still a long journey ahead for healing for victims and trust for the leadership
*Pope steered clear of USA electoral politics while emphasizing grounding principles that neither party can latch onto- consistent ethic of life fouls up democrats because of abortion and republicans because of Iraq War and death penalty
*Affection expressed for the pope during the visit, even though Catholics seem to "pick and choose" what they follow from the Church's teaching- a state of affairs not uncommon in my faith tradition (Lutheran)
I pray that the visit has been an occasion for healing and deeper reflection upon our Faith for all Christians of all stripes, including the blue and red and purple ones (politically)
Peace, Duh-sciple
Posted by: Duh-sciple | April 21, 2008 8:47 PM
"PS: Froggy-Doo?"
Ask the junior detectives. They're on the case.
Posted by: kevin s. | April 21, 2008 9:33 PM
Here's the other thing about the Pope's visit: a lot of lefty types were hoping that Benedict would deliver a stinging rebuke on Iraq. Ratzinger had been critical of the Iraq invasion in the past, as had his predecessor John Paul II.
But nothing of that sort happened, perhaps because Benedict realizes that a too-early US withdrawal might be catastrophic, or perhaps because the Pope figured he had already said enough.
A papal rebuke on Iraq would have been music to the ears of most of the Christian left, but Benedict never gave it. As is often the case with Sojo, news that disappoints the left is treated with silence, so rather than ponder the Pope's words -- and the words he didn't say -- we are left looking at his shoes.
Wolverine
Posted by: Wolverine | April 22, 2008 11:00 AM
Wolverine: "a lot of lefty types were hoping that Benedict would deliver a stinging rebuke on Iraq. Ratzinger had been critical of the Iraq invasion in the past, as had his predecessor John Paul II."
"A papal rebuke on Iraq would have been music to the ears of most of the Christian left"
Which lefty types? I'm a lefty and often hang out with lefties, but don't know of any hoping for that. Indeed, many of them despise (wrongly I believe) the Pope.
Posted by: carl copas | April 22, 2008 1:47 PM
And here I thot the red shoes were an olive branch to the transgendered.
Posted by: canucklehead | April 22, 2008 3:53 PM
Not as big a fan of this pope as I was the last one. I loved John Paul but I respect that he likes red shoes. (kidding)
p
Posted by: Payshun | April 23, 2008 4:49 PM
I expected something more from Sojourners about the significant issues that the Pope is trying to address in a short visit. So we look at his shoes like the mainstream jounralists. As for his jetting around, to visit the countries of the world when he is the leader of a universal (catholic) church, it seems part of his call to be "Shepherd" of the world flock...if he stayed strictly at home he would be accused of being out of touch. After his time as Pope, when he is buried in the red "travel" shoes, they will have touched "holy ground" in many places and brought him present to many people. Whether I agree with everything he says or does, may many encounter Christ in his presence and may he live to wear out the red shoes!
Posted by: Mary | April 24, 2008 2:25 PM
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