I'm pretty sick of religion's being the dominant, or even major, topic in a U.S. presidential election.
![](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2006/01/14/wpope14b.jpg)
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071215/ap_en_ot/people_franco_zeffirelli_2;_ylt=Ag9uClmjssf2MLn26VI2vmcE1vAIZeffirelli: Pope Benedict needs makeover
.... Coming after the media-savvy Pope John Paul II, "Benedict XVI still has a cold way of communicating, little suited to what is happening around him," Zeffirelli was quoted as telling the Turin daily La Stampa.
"Even his wardrobe needs to be revised," the 84-year-old Zeffirelli was quoted as saying. "These are not times of high-tailored church wear." Instead, his vestments should reflect "sobriety," the director said. "The papal vestments have been done over to be too sumptuous and showy." ....
John Paul II, often spontaneous and sometimes outdoorsy, had little use for fancy papal attire. But Benedict has taken to wearing some eye-stopping outfits in his public appearances, including a red velvet cape trimmed with ermine, a fur-trimmed stocking cap that some first mistook for a Santa Claus hat, and bright red Prada loafers. ....
"If they give me an official supervisory role, I would dedicate myself to it full time," Zeffirelli was quoted by La Stampa as saying. "There is a great need for it." ....
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