The minister of the Methodist Church I attend ecumenically mentioned the Pope’s visit in the pastoral prayer this morning, giving thanks for the people who were drawn to God as a result. My pastor didn’t commit this offense but it reminded me of something I’d been meaning to complain about: I’m mildly annoyed by how common it has become to refer to the last two popes as JPII and B16. I thought it was cute the first couple of times I heard it, but now that people say it all the time it gives me the same feeling as when children call their hip and understanding parents by their first names.
