How to Greet the Pope

The pope is an international leading figure who demands, by his office, respect and appropriately conservative dress and behavior.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dresses
• Women's Pants Or Dress Men's Suits
• Airline Tickets

1. Dress appropriately, regardless of your views on dress codes and personal liberty.

2. Choose a dark suit for a private or semiprivate audience with the pope, if you're a man.

3. Select a dress that covers your shoulders and reaches near your knees, if you're a woman. Dress pants are acceptable these days, but were not in earlier times.

4. Addressing the pope by letter, one writes to His Holiness, the Pope or His Holiness Pope __________, Vatican City, 00817 Rome, Italy.

5. Use the following salutation: Your Holiness or Most Holy Father.

6. Say "Your Holiness" or "Most Holy Father" when speaking directly to the pontiff, no matter what your religious affiliation.

7. Listen to the pope's assistants for instructions on where to stand in the audience room.

8. Make a low bow, or go down on one knee, when being presented to the pontiff. Once again, disregard your religious affiliation.

9. Take the pope's right hand and kiss his ring if you're a Catholic.

10. Take and shake the pope's right hand if you're not a Catholic.

Tips & Warnings

• Prepare something to say to the pontiff if you receive a rare private or semiprivate audience. Keep in mind that the pope is accustomed to these small meetings and is usually well-prepared.
• Only heads of state need worry about a gift, which is usually something official.
• In semiprivate or private audiences, the pope usually offers his visitors a small gift of a religious nature; for example, a rosary or medallion.
• Although not particularly formal, any visit with the pope is strictly organized and accompanied by high security.
• No gloves, please.

[kbothoughts]

on 7/10/2009 No one would argue the pope is Jesus. It was Jesus, however, that was baptized by a mere man: John the baptist. Catholic or not, many religions see forgiveness of sin as step towards Eternal life. Catholicism, is after all the most historically traceable religion. It started when Jesus names Peter the first pope. The earliest record of other Christian religions start with Martin Luther, who by the way, was not God the Father. Has Catholicism had hurdles, of course. It was corrupt, just as every organized religion has been. Catholicism is a religion that is very well organized, so that no matter where you are in the world, the readings and prayers in mass are the same readings and prayers all over the world. Catholics may not have everything right, but at least they are a cohesive church. Unlike other churches, where they talk about whatever the pastor wants to discuss.

[kbothoughts]

on 7/10/2009 The Pope is the most holy father, because in the Catholic faith, he is picked by God, just as Peter was picked by Jesus. He is then, the holiest of men, at least for the Catholic church. It is not worth arguing what you would and would not do if you were to meet him, because the only people that would go to the effort to meet him, Catholic or not, would have the decency to respect him. Opinions on beliefs are wonderful, I have expressed mine. Opinions about how to please the Lord are what free will is all about.

[kbothoughts]

on 7/10/2009 No one would argue the pope is Jesus. It was Jesus, however, that was baptized by a mere man: John the baptist. Catholic or not, many religions see forgiveness of sin as step towards Eternal life. Catholicism, is after all the most traceable religion. It started when Jesus names Peter the first pope. The earliest record of other Christian religions start with Martin Luther, who by the way, was not God the Father. Has Catholicism had hurdles, of course. It was corrupt, just as every organized religion has been. Catholicism is a religion that is very well organized, so that no matter where you are in the world, the readings and prayers in mass are the same readings and prayers all over the world. Catholics may not have everything right, but at least they are a cohesive church. Unlike other churches, where they talk about whatever the pastor wants to discuss. The Pope is the most holy ...

[Olorin88]

on 1/10/2009 Oh come on folks... it seems ridiculous that I seem to need to point out what follows. His Holiness is the unquestioned spiritual leader of about a billion, but more importantly, and to the point, he is also a head of State; the Vatican being an sovereign nation. Would anyone, pagan, Buddhist, or Christian really balk at the notion of addressing a head of state by their given title?

Ambassadors to the courts of rulers in China would historically have to approach the on their knees. I can't imagine they enjoyed the process or agreed with the implicit statements their actions made but they did it because that's the way the world works. To those who can't understand, grow up.

[SaintPlazma]

on 12/27/2008 I'm also a Pagan however given the chance to meet the Pope I would jump on it. The man is an embodiment of the divine for billions, and should be respected for that, the fact none oh us here are divine who are we to judge beliefs and traditions of others. Lastly Medea I remind you that this isn't the same pope and the fact that enlightenment is the end goal of many pagan paths, don't let your prejudges prevent you from that goal, in this life or the next.