Here is a photo that should inspire the Church Militant reading this blog: Two of your greatest generals and the rosary - the weapon of choice for the Catholic Church. Who would be willing to take up arms and say five decades for the Pope and the intentions of the Blessed Mother?

Did Pope JP2 wear that red embroidered vestment as often as B16? I picture JP2 in white all the time. I like this red number, it's snappy and vaguely Santa-like.

Tis possible that the Holy Father still prefers red from wearing it all the time as a cardinal.

lol... People sometimes think me wierd because I like to have my eyes open for prayer and meditation. Perhaps he the same way.

Please visit my brand new blog, "Praise Divine Mercy!"

Wow, this is one of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen. Viva Il Papa! Ave Maria! Viva Santo Nino!

....and you know it, clap your hands!"

A GREAT idea about saying the rosary for the Pope - and just in time, for tomorrow (Feb 14) we ought to start a novena to end on Feb 22, feast of the Chair of St. Peter.

Is it just me, or does the Blessed Mother kind of have a look like she is giving some stern motherly advice here???

"A GREAT idea about saying the rosary for the Pope - and just in time, for tomorrow (Feb 14) we ought to start a novena to end on Feb 22, feast of the Chair of St. Peter."

A Papal Valentine Novena!

Btw, Curt Jester, you need to Photoshop one of those candy conversation hearts. You could change "Be Mine" to "B 16".

"Thanks. And I'm a big fan of yours too."

Come on guys, she's only demonstrating the proper way to fold one's hands in prayer.

ThereseZ1,

B16 is wearing choir dress, which consists of the white cassock, a (lace) rochet (similar to a surplice, but with narrow sleeves), a red mozzetta, and the red state stole. I think this is also the official state dress of the pope, which is why you see him in choir dress when dignitaries visit.

In the summer, the pope usually wears a red satin mozzetta, but in the winter, he wears the deeper red velvet mozzetta with ermine trim, which is what you see here.

JP2 used to wear full choir dress early in his pontificate, but for whatever reason later on he dropped choir dress in favor of just wearing a white cassock with shoulder cape (simar), and when presiding at a prayer event, adding the state stole, or some other stole. Why this happened I could only speculate, but won't.

B16 is returning to the more traditional and formal style of papal attire, sort of like wearing a full dress uniform instead of a service uniform.

I sometimes wonder if the good Papa gets cold in winter, and if blessed John Paul II didn't get hot under all the vestments. Maybe that explains their choices in garments.

Love the picture of Papa Benedict and Our Lady of Lourdes! Yes-I think she is giving him some 'motherly advice'....

The idea of a novena of Rosaries for the Holy Father is great, too! I keep hoping and praying that February 22 will be the day he announces the Universal Indult for the Latin Mass!