Archdiocese of Washington yanks DC Metro Benedict Bobblehead video

Via PopeWatch:

It seemed like a great marketing campaign to some at Metro: a Pope Benedict XVI bobblehead riding the train. That is, until church officials saw it.

Metro earlier today yanked a YouTube video it had made featuring a Pope bobblehead taking Metro, after the Archdiocese of Washington complained the figure was unauthorized merchandise and improperly dressed. The ad campaign was meant to encourage people to take Metro to the special papal Mass next week at Nationals ballpark, Metro officials said. . . . More (including screenshot)

Merchants in the Temple?

'Pope Paraphernalia' Up for Grabs ABCNews.com April 4, 2008:

Washington is getting ready for Pope Benedict's historic visit, including stocking the shelves at the Washington Basilica with all types of "Pope paraphernalia."

From t-shirts, key chains, mugs and bumper stickers, all types of merchandise are up for grabs. "Pope totes! Isn't it great," asked shopper Elsa Thompson.

For 50 cents, you can get the Pope on a postcard or for $675 you can get the Pope made of porcelain. At the Basilica gift store, the Pope has turned pop star, from the tasteful to the tacky.

Commemorative items marking his upcoming visit are flying off the shelves. "If we can find a bobble head of Pope Benedict, we'll probably go for that, too," said shopper Kent Graves.

Pop Benedict criticized the materialism of Christmas, so some wonder what exactly he'd think of all the Pope stuff.

"It's a little commercial. You like to think of our Holy Father as a little bit less than a commercial opportunity. But I guess everyone's gotta make a buck," said Graves.

I do think some of the paraphernalia's a little cheesey -- incidentally, The Bobble-Head Benedict is already available at ToyLounge.com.

I'm not in much of a position to point fingers, however -- the hosting and maintenance of the Cardinal Ratzinger / Pope Benedict XVI Fan Club is actually paid for in part by our own line of "papal trinkets. ;-)

Related

• Papal Swag! (On the Archdiocese of Washington's "authorized supplier" for papal paraphernalia.
• Pope Benedict XVI's Election Spurs Market in Baubles and Bling Bloomberg.com. May 4, 2005 (blast from the past).