Benedict's Wrist

What an odd juxtaposition of news headlines today.

First, we learn that Oscar Wilde's reputation is being rehabilitated in the pages of L'Osservatore Romano, considered Pope Benedict XVI's mouthpiece. According to the Telegraph [UK], it was a surprise move.

But in an article published on Thursday, L'Osservatore declared that the author of The Importance of Being Earnest was more than "an aesthete and a lover of the ephemeral".

The playwright was, instead, "one of the personalities of the 19th century who most lucidly analysed the modern world in its disturbing as well as its positive aspects", the Vatican newspaper said in a review of a new book about Wilde by an Italian author.

[Nick Squires, "Vatican reconciles with Oscar Wilde", The Telegraph [UK], 16 July 2009.]

Then we hear (for example) that the Pope fell while on vacation and broke his wrist. He now sports a cast.

Are there fears in Vatican City of a limp wrist?

Posted on July 17, 2009 at 18.29 by jns · Permalink
In: All, Current Events, Faaabulosity

2 Responses

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  1. Written by chris
    on Friday, 17 July 2009 at 22.16
    Permalink

    ah, but it gets better: after five-in-a-row condemnations of the Harry Potter films for "promoting witchcraft" (*), the Vatican (reported here, f'rinstance) has endorsed the Harry Potter VI movie for demonstrating the clear difference between good and evil, endorsing such values as friendship, altruism and loyalty. Maybe it's just me, but I saw all of those qualities in all of the Harry Potter books and movies (ok, ok, I haven't seen Half-Blood Prince yet). However, the Vatican is [finally] now, at movie number six, convinced.

    and they're now favourably impressed with Oscar Wilde. and the Pope breaks his wrist.

    mirabile dictu. if it wasn't nine years too late, I'd exclaim "the millennium!"

    (*) a fave word, with five consonants in a row

  2. Written by jns
    on Friday, 17 July 2009 at 23.16
    Permalink

    I heard about the Potter thing, and it, too, sounded…incredible. Maybe the Pope accidentally clicked the heels of his red Prada shoes together three times.

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