Pope's Visit Brings Unusual Gifts
3:34 AM // 0 comments // sb blogger // Category: Politics , Pope //By Tom Doerr
After a period of welcome obscurity, Tony Blair is suddenly everywhere again, making peace in the Middle East, promoting his memoir, and now even getting himself involved in the pope's state visit to Britain. This is the fault of the Vatican's official newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, which chose to publish on its front page an article by Blair about Cardinal John Henry Newman, whom the pope is to beatify in Birmingham on Sunday. There is no reason to think that Blair, a recent convert to Catholicism, is particularly knowledgeable about this most famous of all British converts, but his article is interesting all the same for what it says about its author.
The event is surrounded by security, terror threats and controversy but what has been overlooked is the amount of people jumping on the bandwagon and capitalising on the visit with souvenirs and commemorative gifts. But as you would expect, there is a lot of junk on offer which has been designed to make a cheap buck out of all the pontiff's supporters. Street vendors are offering baseball caps for up to 20. And many are flogging pilgrims t-shirts with the option to customise with the name of their church.
Westminster Cathedral's gift shop is stocking specially made plates, photo's books and crosses for the event. But there are also very many bizarre souvenirs available including a 'popener' bottle opener, a Vatican city lighter and a remote control popemobile. Many gift shops are offering silicone bracelets similar to those of the 'livestrong' trend and catholic Swarovski jewellery. However the Catholic Church has rejected claims that the papal visit is being commercialised.
The Pope has come under fire from activists and a potential terrorist plot was uncovered in which 5 men were arrested in London. There has also been much controversy surrounding the Popes address of the issue of child abuse amongst the catholic clergy. The ex-Hitler youth has also likened atheists to Nazis, a comment which has caused a riot in a society gradually moving away from religion.
After being informed of the arrests, the Pope confirmed he would continue with his arrangements which will be unaffected by the developments. Hundreds of police officers are involved in the multi million pound operations to protect the pope on his visit along with Vatican security and members of the Swiss Guard. - 39468
The event is surrounded by security, terror threats and controversy but what has been overlooked is the amount of people jumping on the bandwagon and capitalising on the visit with souvenirs and commemorative gifts. But as you would expect, there is a lot of junk on offer which has been designed to make a cheap buck out of all the pontiff's supporters. Street vendors are offering baseball caps for up to 20. And many are flogging pilgrims t-shirts with the option to customise with the name of their church.
Westminster Cathedral's gift shop is stocking specially made plates, photo's books and crosses for the event. But there are also very many bizarre souvenirs available including a 'popener' bottle opener, a Vatican city lighter and a remote control popemobile. Many gift shops are offering silicone bracelets similar to those of the 'livestrong' trend and catholic Swarovski jewellery. However the Catholic Church has rejected claims that the papal visit is being commercialised.
The Pope has come under fire from activists and a potential terrorist plot was uncovered in which 5 men were arrested in London. There has also been much controversy surrounding the Popes address of the issue of child abuse amongst the catholic clergy. The ex-Hitler youth has also likened atheists to Nazis, a comment which has caused a riot in a society gradually moving away from religion.
After being informed of the arrests, the Pope confirmed he would continue with his arrangements which will be unaffected by the developments. Hundreds of police officers are involved in the multi million pound operations to protect the pope on his visit along with Vatican security and members of the Swiss Guard. - 39468
About the Author:
The sale of unique gifts and novelty gifts is said to be worth tens of millions of pounds during the Pope's first ever state visit to the UK.
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