Who would have predicted that Pope Benedict XVI, who was described as a traditionalist conservative after he was named pope, would develop a reputation as a “clotheshorse“? Could it be an example of triangulation?
For those who haven’t read, he has been seen wearing Prada shoes and Gucci sunglasses. And as you can see from the image below, the red shoes are quite flashy.
All kidding aside, isn’t the pope’s penchant for wearing luxury designer clothing so prominently an example of Pride, which C.S. Lewis described as The Great Sin? Now, I am not a Christian and do not believe that Pride is a sin–nor do I think there is anything wrong with people wearing fancy clothes. But this dude is the pope after all, so I think it is worth a discussion. If there are any Catholics reading this, I’d be curious to know whether you think Pope Benedict XVI is setting a bad example by getting all decked out.
Is the pope setting a bad example? Well, I’m not about to judge anyone, and I don’t know all the details–I’ve heard that the sunglasses were a gift, for instance. And I’ve heard that Benedict is a good and humble man.
Still, whenever I hear about religious people making a big fuss about appearances, I’m reminded of Jesus’ words to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:25-28
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness. 26 You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside of it may become clean also. 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead menÃ?¢âÂ?‰Â?¢s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
I like the red shoes, T-Bone…However, I think the red shoes might clash with the standard purple garb of Advent.
I wonder if they are part of Prada’s fall “Papal Line”:
“Red shoes, silver mitre and big hats will be all the rage this season. Whether issuing encyclicals or pretending some ‘unfortunate’ church events never happened, Prada is always the right choice for the Pope on the Go!