Should the Vatican foot the bill for the Poes visit?

[Bobbisox]

We are in the worst recession for 60yrs and yet we plan to shell out up to £12,000,000 for a visit from the Pontiff.
I respect he heads the Catholic Church and has millions of followers here, but isn't it a bit foolhardy in these austere times?
The Catholic Church, like the Church of England are very rich bodies so why not , they foot the Bill?

[Bobbisox]

<POPE>

[boxtops]

I like the Poe better, bobbi - and the answer to your question is Yes. BTW why is he coming, anyway?

[ethandron]

yep, catholic church should foot the bill. we, britain, are considered to be a 'church of england' country and in no way should we be expected to foot the bill for this catholic persons visit. let those who want him here pay the bill - not me.

[sandyRoe]

He's going to Scotland. Why don't Rangers fans organize fund raising to pay for the visit?

[Bobbisox]

ha-ha boxy
HIS EMMINENCE THE POE?

[Bobbisox]

I very much doubt that sandy..lol

[sandyRoe]

The Poe of Rome?

[boxtops]

or his Poeymince the Emm?

[Bobbisox]

I misspelled in the header sandy
whoops!

[Bobbisox]

stoppit boxy....snigger!!!!
I'll be getting it in the neck now,,ha-ha

[ethandron]

his poppyness the eminem?

[Whickerman]

No more than the UK should foot the bill for Queen Elizabeth II on her state visits to other countries. Bear in mind she's the head of a religion too.

[boxtops]

I would just love it if there is a BBC newsreader on AB, reads this then forgets, and says, now who's getting off this plane, oh look it's His Poeymince the Emm kissing the tarmac. (I wouldn't kiss the tarmac, all keroseney.)

[sandyRoe]

His uncle, Edgar Allen, wrote a fair horror tale.

[ummmm]

This has been done to death now. They are footing some of the bill...

But why not? Did they not have Robert Mugabe for a visit?

[boxtops]

Eminem, now there's a though ethandron!

[Bobbisox]

and I agree with that too Whickerman, we can no longer afford this kind of money-wasting

[ummmm]

And as Whickerman says.....

[ethandron]

ha, i've imbibed some wine and have suddenly become all-knowing boxy!!

[Bobbisox]

I was against that old bloody dictator too ummm,
errrm, I must have missed it being 'done to death'