What a wonderful message.  Here in Washington DC the Pope travelled round in a motorcade.  He himself was in a tiny Fiat 500 car, with security men crammed in as best they could.  The car window was down and the Pope waved to the crowd through the window, as the car passed quite slowly.    Following the Pope came a second motorcade, with big black cars, their sirens blaring.  And along comes Vice President Biden, accompanied on either side by motorbike outriders, darkened windows firmly closed.  No one could actually see him, the normal procedure in Washington.

“At my age I have little to lose,” the Pope is reported to have commented.  What a great situation to be in – you can say exactly what you think.   The politicians will take away from your speeches what they are inclined to take away.  But to the rest of us, believers or not, here is a man doesn’t need the symbols of power, is not interested in his personal image, but cares about the common man and woman.  How refreshing.