From L.A., a warm, fuzzy YouTube hug for the pope

So Pope Benedict XVI is coming to the U.S. for a visit next week and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is ready. With a video. It's right there on the home page, a zippy little number with lots of quick cuts, zooming lens work and jolly music.

The focus is the annual Blessing of the Animals, so in addition to mariachis and palm trees, His Holiness will get a glimpse of cats, dogs, snakes, birds, bunnies, a ceremonial cow and a really big lizard. The video ends with a series of locals saying a genuinely  heartfelt "Welcome, Pope Benedict, to the United States!"

Though the Pope's itinerary keeps him on the East Coast, the L.A. Archdiocese plans to show its video on a Jumbotron at Nationals Stadium in D.C., before the papal Mass. Think it'll make it to YouTube?

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: AP

Comments

[Clayton]

For Catholics in Los Angeles, this is the embarrassment du jour... Fortunately, I have it on a reliable source that the Pope himself will not see the video, but it is really for those waiting for the event.

However, it might be good for the Pope to see it. Just a friendly reminder that all is not well in the largest archdiocese in the country.