Apr 15, 2008 11:00 pm US/Central
Good Question: Your Pope Questions Answered
(WCCO)
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Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd as he walks with President George W. Bush after arriving in the United States April 15, 2008, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
In the scheme of things involving Popes of the Roman Catholic Church, there's not much that rises to the level of being historic. However, the six-day visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States is just that.
But seriously, what's the deal with this guy's red shoes?
"I don't know when the tradition began. It was relatively common in the 19th and 20th Century," said Dr. Don Briel, director of the Center for Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.
Pope Benedict brought back the red shoes, which haven't been used since the early days of John Paul II's papacy. They date to at least the 1800's and the red is said to be symbolic of martyrdom.
The Pope always wears white, a decision made in the 1500's by Pope Pius V.
Pope Benedict XVI has been to Minnesota in his former role as a Cardinal. In 1984, his name was Joseph Ratzinger and he visited the University of St. Thomas to receive an honorary degree.
"He is a great thinker," said Briel, who met with Cardinal Ratzinger at the time.
When Ratzinger became Pope in 2005, the new job came with a new name.
"It's really up to them," said Briel. "They pick it. They have the right to choose any name that they might wish."
Typically, Pope choose their name from the ranks of prior Popes.
John is the most popular Pope name; there's been 23 Popes named John. Historically, there were 16 Popes named Gregory and now there are 16 Pope Benedicts.
The Roman Catholic Church considers Peter the first Pope. He was the head of the apostles, and out of respect to St. Peter, no other Pope has taken his name.
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