Money /
UK

'Pope Visit' Site Hawks Magnets, Baseball Caps

Amen to profits
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 4, 2010 4:47 AM CDT
Updated Aug 4, 2010 5:00 AM CDT
'Sell-a-Pope' Site Hawks Baseball Caps, Fridge Magnets
Faithful greet Pope Benedict XV at Castel Gandolfo last month.   (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

The Vatican opened a new "Papal Visit" official online store ahead of His Holiness' trip to the UK next month, selling tote bags, fridge magnets, "beatification" T-shirts and a papal flag with the Vatican seal to mark the first visit of a pope to England and Scotland since 1982—and to help the UK foot the $11 million cost of bringing him over. The British press has been amused by some of the merch, including a bracelet sporting Swarovski crystals and an electronic flashing candle to wave at stadium events.

But the heavy metal-style T-shirt shouldn't come as too much of a surprise: The firm producing the goods count Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones among its clients. The theme of the trip is not "Money Talks," but "The Heart Speaks Unto Heart," the motto on the coat of arms of Victorian theologian Cardinal John Henry Newman, whom the pope will beatify during his visit. To check out what's up for grabs in the Pope Store, click here. (More UK stories.)

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