Laura and Barbara Bush at the Vatican

AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano

As the Vatican Information Service put it, "Laura Bush, wife of the president of the U.S.A., accompanied by an entourage" had an audience with the Holy Father today. She's heading up the American delegation to the Turin games.

AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

Protocol: Why wasn't Barbara wearing a mantilla? Get with the program, girlfriend! This ain't some hippy Yale chaplain.

Anyway. I wonder what Benedict's rosaries look like. Probably, he's being the frugal Bavarian and just using the same mold for the crucifix as John Paul's (which were shaped like his crozier).

And I still can't believe Ratzinger is pope. In a good way.