[Alex Murphy]

Retiring Pope Benedict XVI gets to keep a couple titles — “Your Holiness Benedict XVI” and “emeritus pope” — and his white cassock. But he’s turning in his signature red shoes and going brown. Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said the pope decided on his future wear — which has been widely discussed since he announced his retirement — in consultation with Vatican officials, according to The Associated Press.

[fwdude]

Where is any of this “uniform” prescribed in scripture?

[Red Badger]

There’s no place like Rome, There’s no place like Rome, There’s no place like Rome, There’s no place like Rome, ........

[livius]

This is getting into the Third Prophecy of Fatima, where the “Bishop who was dressed in white like the Pope but was not” suffers enormously and is then killed at the foot of the Cross...after walking through the bodies of the dead faithful who suffered in the persecution.

Laugh if you want.

[fhayek]

Now that he is retired, he can spend more time fishing, so all he we need are the shoes of a fisherman.

[ScottinVA]

I might recommend these to the Pope:

[Dan Cooper]

The Pre-Republic Kings of Rome wore red shoes as an insignia. Julius Caesar started wearing red shoes during his dictatorship, leading Rome to speculate that he saw himself as their king. I don't recall whether the emperors following Caesar kept up the practice, but I'm sure that is the origin of the Papal tradition.

[count-your-change]

I’m sure there’s some deep significance to all of this but it just seems to elude me.

When asked how many pairs of loafers he had the Pope said most of the people working for him.

[siamesecats]

Wow, don’t these people have anything better to do? The man is sick. Our Pastor told us he’s nearly blind and emaciated. What difference does it make what he wears? I thank him for his service to the Church.