Would you have said that about Pius XII's birds, flying all over the Papal apartments? Lots of the commentary at the time implied Pius XII was goofy, and the birds indicated such.
UR, sometimes you seem so devoid of humanity I think "Ultima Ratio" is really a kiosk, spitting out anti-John Paul II propaganda on command.
Your stridency is approaching silly hysteria.
You're the one who looks totally out of touch, picking at every nit you can.
Lots of Europeans kept canaries as pets back then. My great grandfather kept birds. Nothing unusual about that. It's a hobby. FDR collected stamps. People in high stations have a right to relax. But instituting a "Sports Department" in the Vatican makes as much sense as instituting a "Movie Department." It shows Rome has absolutely lost its way--it hasn't a clue about where it's going or where it wants to go. It's only good at smashing things.