Advisers worry that Benedict is not as media savvy as John Paul.
Religion like science does not speak for itself, it needs to be carefully communicated with the media and specific audiences in mind. According to Reuters, Italian film and opera director Franco Zeffirelli is offering his services to Pope Benedict as an image consultant, saying the German pontiff comes across as cold and needs to review his wardrobe. "Coming after a media-savvy pope like John Paul II is a difficult task ... Benedict XVI still communicates coldly, in a way that is not suited with what is happening around him," Zeffirelli said.
"It's an issue I have been discussing with people who have key roles in the Vatican," said Zeffirelli, who has directed some Vatican television events.
"The Pope does not smile much, but he is an intellectual. He has a very rigid Bavarian structure," he said.
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"The Pope does not smile much, but he is an intellectual. He has a very rigid Bavarian structure," he said.
Everyone has room for improvement. Even Popes! LOL! I saw the Movie, "Wag the Dog" the other night and thought about your blog! It exemplifies how manipulating the perception of reality can end up being the catalyst that brings that form of reality into existence! Making it the predominant "Real" reality.
Dave Briggs :~)
Posted by: Dave Briggs | January 2, 2008 4:55 PM
I was not aware that "Bavarian" meant "narrow-minded medieval misogynist" ?
Posted by: RNB | January 2, 2008 5:39 PM
Before 1939, German-speakers migrating to South America were Germans. During the war they were 'Bavarians'. After the war they were 'Swiss'. In Joey Ratz's case, I think it's code for "I had my papers, diamonds, and gold ready, but it turned out I didn't have to run after all".
Posted by: Snarly Old Fart | January 2, 2008 5:59 PM
Modern audiences appreciate the advantages of a military background in portraying an image of strength and manliness.
Don't forget, the Pope fought in the same war as our President's daddy. I look forward to Vatican-produced reenactments of his youthful activities, due to which he can now boast of being the only pontiff who has fired on American and British forces.
Posted by: Pierce R. Butler | January 2, 2008 7:00 PM
Perhaps that image consultant would be mainly needed to prevent or publicly correct the distortion of his messages such as Simon Caldwell of the Daily Mail recently indulged in when he had the pope suggesting (in his New Year's Message)"that fears over man-made emissions melting the ice caps and causing a wave of unprecedented disasters were nothing more than scare-mongering."
Unfortunately the Daily Mail has a circulation of about two and a half million. Perhaps 0,0001 of those readers have checked up on what the Pope really said (unbiased research by experts and 'wise persons' needed - the problems looming on the horizon are many - time is short).
Posted by: Arie Brand | January 3, 2008 12:47 AM
It's tough for the Pope to change image too much towards the smiley end of religious leaders; the Dalai Lama has rather taken that end of the market.
Posted by: image consultant | January 3, 2008 6:23 AM