The Pope Does Not Wear Prada

Pope Benedict XVI - kohm.org

Years of speculation in the media that Pope Benedict XVI wears Prada has finally been addressed by the Vatican, as its newspaper flatly denied that the Pontiff wears designer loafers by the Milanese fashion house.

L'Osservatore Romano has dismissed the rumors, saying that "Obviously the attribution was false. Such rumors are inconsistent with the simple and somber man who, on the day of his election to the papacy, showed to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square and to the whole world the sleeves of a modest black sweater”.

The Pope has long been regarded in the media as something of a fashionista, owing to his penchant for wearing those striking red loafers, a red cape and fur-trimmed stocking cap during Christmas that made him resemble Santa Claus, and a sumptuous red velvet cape trimmed in ermine.

The Vatican newspaper, however, insists that the pope's interest in clothes has nothing to do with fashion and everything to do with liturgy, as the clothes that he wears are just customary traditional garments.

"The pope, therefore, does not wear Prada, but Christ," L'Osservatore said.

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