Bush to Rome for Pope's Funeral: Promises to "Address Almighty"

Bush to Address Almighty at Pope's Funeral

The man Pope John Paul II said had more in common with the Anti-Christ than any he'd known will travel to Rome for this Friday's funeral service. Bush was humble, saying: "It is my great honour on behalf of our country to express our gratitude to the almighty for such a man." We're still awaiting word if that was the royal "We." {ape}




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Bush to Address Almighty at Pope's Funeral

C. L. Cook
pej.org
April 5th, 2005


According to Britain's Guardian newspaper, plans for the first ever attendance of a sitting American president at a Papal funeral were started months ago. The Guardian reports speculation that the Bush party will include former president George H. W. Bush, Jeb Bush, and possibly former president Bill Clinton.

Already, officials in Rome have expressed concern about the added security necessary to attend the American contingent of VIP's. They estimate an extra 10,000 police will be needed to provide security in a city already jammed, and expecting as many as 2 million pilgrims, well-wishers, and tourists Friday.

St. Peters Square, the site of Friday's ceremonies, also presents concern. The square was the site of the 1981 near-assassination of the Pontiff. The attendance of thousands of media representatives too presents worries for security, the feeling being such a high-profile event could prove a tempting target for terrorists seeking publicity. The circus-like atmosphere created by the near constant coverage of the Pope's illness and final succumbing has irked Italians who fear it threatens the dignity of the final rites of John Paul's long and celebrated life.

What effect the appearance of Mr. Bush and party will have on Italians, already outraged over the blatant shooting of populist journalist, Giuliana Sgrena and killing of her rescuer, Italian super-negotiator, Nicola Calipari in Iraq last month, is a consideration so far overlooked during the intense grieving period for the immensely popular Polish Pope.

The vast majority of Italians joined in with the Pope's opposition to the invasion of Iraq, and have bitterly opposed Prime Minister Berlusconi's close relationship with Mr. Bush. In efforts to salvage political capital, Berlusconi made public pronouncements last month to begin pulling Italian troops out of the middle-east this summer.