With all the hoo-ha over the burqa in France, one Vatican tradition I wish they would discard is the requirement that women where mantillas (veils) and black when they meet the pope. This pic from the UK Telegraph article about the visit is demonstrative: Why should the spouses of the G8 leaders appear before the Holy Father in this way? Obviously some of the women would choose to appear this way, and I'm sure Michelle Obama did as well, but I can't help but think it a bit sexist. Why else would women appear in black with their heads covered? Still suffering the stigma of being a daugher of Eve?
Time to revise the protocol books…
And an update: Looks like I'm not the only one who noticed Michele Obama's veil: You can check out this piece from the Boston Globe as well.
