How to meet the Pope
What should you do if you run into the pontiff in Sydney this week? Here is Time Out's primer on how to hail the holy one.
By Drew Toal
On Thursday 16th July 2008, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will float into Sydney - not through the power of Jesus, but on in a boatacade - for a four-day visit. What do you do if you find yourself running into him at Manacle on Oxford Street, hoeing into a Harry's pie floater or syphoning the pontifical python at the gents' brascoes at Aria? (Hint: Not a bro hug.) Time Out tapped up Bill Donohue, president of the International Catholic League, to guide us through the holy encounter.
1 Dress smart And conservatively. The Pope doesn't like your baggy-ass jeans and dirty Dunlop Volleys, nor does he brook ruffians who don hats in his presence or smell of Erciyes kebabs and Chateau Tanunda casks. Conversely, ladies should keep their heads covered. "Business-casual is fine," says Donohue.
2 Kneel or bow Drop down on your left knee as if you were about to pop the question. (The right one is reserved for kneeling before Christ). If you're standing in a swamp or happen to be wearing ceremonial robes, it's permissible to bow from the waist instead.
3 Smooch that ring If he offers it to you, take the pontiff's right hand and kiss the Ring of the Fisherman. Not Catholic? Be content with a handshake. Donohue says the ring kissing is a bit of a formality (even if you catch him at the Taxi Club): "From what I've heard, this Pope doesn't get caught up in pomposity."
4 Reflect Congratulations! You can now rest easy knowing that you didn't offend Christ's Priest on Earth. (We're assuming, of course, that you're not gay, pro-choice, a stem-cell researcher, Remo catalogue shopper, Mel Gibson film fan or Camden school planner.)