Il Cardinale Variety

One of JP's idiosyncracies was that he rarely called his senior prelates by name, preferring to use their assignment or some sort of nickname. For example, O'Connor was "New York," John Krol was always one Polish nickname or other used for close male relatives, and Roger Mahony was always, always "Hollywood."

Well, Cardinal Hollywood's getting a major run for his money from the Patriarch of Venice.... Angelo Scola makes his debut in the trades -- Variety reports:

The Vatican, sex and death dominated the Lido Wednesday, as Venice Patriarch Cardinal Angelo Scola paid a visit to honor cinema while Gallic sex-tourism drama "Heading South" and Tim Burton's animated "Corpse Bride" preemed.

Scola handed out the Vatican-sponsored Robert Bresson prize to Polish thesp-helmer Jerzy Stuhr, protag of Krzysztov Zanussi's competition entry "Persona Non Grata."

"Cinema is of great interest to the church," said the prelate, who is considered close to Pope Benedict XIV [sic].

"Movies are one of the most powerful expressive media to answer the following question: 'In the end, does anybody love me?' " the cardinal opined.

Good question.

Better question: How does The Rog top this?

Thanks to Fred for sending.

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