Despite all of the different views that could have been discussed regarding the pope's visit, Mr. Massaro chose to babble aimlessly instead. There were so many issues deserving attention, and yet all Mr. Massaro could seem to focus on was the pope's bling.
I couldn't care less about the pope as a religious or political figure. However, the space Mr. Massaro is afforded could have been put to valuable use for the discussion of a myriad of philosophical issues surrounding the pope's visit.
For example: What association, if any, is appropriate for a sitting president to have with a religious leader? Should the pope's own beliefs implore him to hock his bling to feed a few hungry mouths? What is the pope's responsibility to molestation victims of American priests?
Surely any of these questions would have been a more effective use of column inches than the inane ramblings that I can only assume were a half-hearted attempt at humor. I've come to expect more from such a distinguished paper.
