On July 16, 2008, during his stay in Australia for the WYD, Benedict XVI visited the Kenthurst Study Centre on the outskirts of Sydney. On that occasion a former Australian police officer was brought into his presence, certainly expecting serious spiritual words of comfort since he was very ill and died shortly afterward.

Instead of "words of eternal life" as expected from a Successor of Peter, Pope Ratzinger found nothing better to do than to take a jovial attitude and pose for the camera donning the police hat of the ill man.

It reflects poor concern for the soul of the needy and an euphoric desire to immitate democratic leaders, who never lose an occasion to please their electorate and make them laugh.

How far we are from the sacral image the Papacy used to transmit to Catholics!

Below, Pius XII giving the blessing Urbi et Orbi to the city of Rome and to the entire world.

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