England Fumes over Selection of "Papa Ratzi"

First it was the Queen's supposed apology for the bombing of Dresden. Then came Prince Harry's embarrassing penchant for Nazi uniforms. Now the latest furor is the eviscerating way the English press have covered the election of a German pope. Germany's trashy tabloid Bild, itself known for its snarky headlines and nationalist pride, was quick to pick up on the insult and express outrage. Thursday's massive headline -- placed just above the semi-naked Clara, who admits she "likes to drive topless" -- screams "English Insult German Pope."

The insult refers to the field day the British press has had after discovering that Joseph Ratzinger, now of course Pope Benedict XVI, was once in the Hitler Youth. Most British papers -- ever happy to take a stab at the Germans -- couldn't resist the creative combinations to be made with Hitler, Nazi, Pope and Ratzi. The tabloid, The Sun led the pack with its ingenious, but outrageous headline, "From Hitler Youth To Papa Ratzi." Indeed, the photo of Ratzinger in a Hitler Youth uniform was flashed so often in England that within hours the image became ubiquitous. On Thursday, the photo also made it onto the front page of Bild.

Fair or not, the election of a German pope with a Nazi past (albeit very slight) was too much for scandal-hungry British editors to pass up. After all, they got both Hitler and the pope in one story. On Thursday, Bild showed its own relish for playing up the "insulting English" stereotype. The truth is, the latest tiff is but one episode in a long battle between Bild and the British press. The German paper is constantly on the look-out for anti-German slights in English papers (no lack of source material, there) and the Brits are constantly pointing to Bild's screeching headlines as evidence that Germany is getting above its station. The battle doesn't look to be ending any time soon. In addition to poking at the English (albeit this time deservedly), Bild's Thursday paper provides exhaustive coverage on Ratzinger. Indeed, Germany is so pope-crazed that analysts are now saying that the election of a German pope may even be the impetus for a long-sought economic recovery in Germany. Sure. But only if he can also walk on water. Bild also enlists historians to explain away Ratzinger's short spurt in the Hitler Youth. Finally, the paper boasts a large color photo of the new pontiff holding an enormous Bavarian beer -- presumably to show what a decent, down-to-earth, and thoroughly German chap he is. (Never mind the fact that he has spent the better part of 30 years in Italy). Tomorrow Bild is continuing its hard-core reporting by an in-depth analysis of whether the pope was ever in love. (2:30 p.m. CET)
...