Many thanks to C.L. for emailing me links to a few ecclesiastical gossip blogs a while back. Courtesy of Vaticanisti, I’ve now discovered what Big George got up to on his German trip for World Youth Day.
Cardinal Pell looked resplendent in his cappa magna, biretta and rochet. More proof, if any were needed, that Sydney truly is a style capital. How will he top this outfit for a procession through Sydney streets when WYD comes down under?
Turn over the page for a glimpse at what well dressed prelates are sporting this Northern autumn.



Now all he needs is a bus called Priscilla.
Down Oxford Street, perhaps?
George: “My robes are bigger than yours!”
The Pope is known for his humility. Cardinal Pell is known for???
Good Lord, what is that thing? As you know Mark, this state’s saintly former pater ecclesia – Frank Rush – would have smiled. And probably shaken his head.
Still, Pelly rocks – theologically.
Papa Benedict has a touch of Hoganian beret vanity, Kim. Plus he bought himself a new Merc. Black one, I think – very chic.
Looking like a supermarket manager in drag?
He’s one of those priests who manages to magically transform vestments into inappropriately coloured stuff between best-for-less shoes and chemist shop specs.
Currency, I wear my beret in a big Mercedes too. It’s a wide, high, noisy monster of a vehicle that you can see coming blocks away. In fact it seats 72.
Sorry, everyone, but I just can’t see the style. He looks like a badminton shuttlecock stuffed in a red condom.
I think the competition has a better sense of style.
My God, he looks like a giant strawberry.
My religious upbringing asks what the humble Christ would have thought of the trappings of clerical office.
Woah! Look at the big tomato! And the expression on his face. He looks like he’s just lost a very embarrassing bet with a High Anglican Archbish about wearing high heels, stockings and black lace suspenders under his robe during Mass.
I’m with Ron. What Would Jesus Wear? I’m pretty certain he wouldn’t have dragged up as some kinda bird of paradise or tropical reef fish.
Anyway thanks for the laffs, Mark.
I just realised what Pell’s facial expression in the first pic reminds me of: that silly look some dogs get when you watch them peeing!
He apparently doesn’t know that a man dressing up as a women is verboten under the law and I thought he was well red!!
He mitre cope birretta with out all the surplice habits.
I believe he flies by an epesciplane but his seat is purely by cardinal numbers.
He isn’t maryed and can’t hold a candle to any anglicans by sheer mass of numbers.
I won’t have nun of it by george. For whom does the pell toll.
It tolls for thee!