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I note, however, that replies have focused on the pictures and not on the contents of what Msgr. Marini had to say. Is there any special reason for that?

I have to admit, Rcesq, that I don't see what's so special about what Guido Marini had to say. Is there anything so remarkable about his "revelation" that he makes "proposals" to the Pope and that he receives "indications" in response? I think that any of the Pope's major collaborators would do the same, regardless of whether they are the Papal Master of Ceremonies or the Secretary of the Congregation for the Clergy. I have no doubt that Piero Marini made "proposals" as well to the Pope (and to the former Cardinal Ratzinger), perhaps the most important of which were his pallium, his Papal ring, and the liturgy for the Mass of Installation -- and those proposals are now "immortalized" in the form of a book.

My question is, just how detailed are the "proposals" made by Guido Marini? Because a "proposal" could easily be simply a short "executive summary" of the readings and certain special prayers (e.g. the Prayers of the Faithful) for a particular Mass, and how many people will be in the Papal communion line; by and large, there are the prayers in the Missal to be followed. I somehow doubt that there'll be a detailed description of a particular vestment or mitre, to wit: "a hand-embroidered, emerald green chasuble in the Roman style, with 10,000 mother-of-pearl beads and 400 yards of gold thread, falling to just two or three inches above the scarlet Prada papal loafers, with a matching dalmatic and an alb created from the finest Belgian lace in a fleur-de-lis pattern, to be worn with a 24-inch tall mitre embroidered with emeralds, diamonds and pearls, for an ensemble will make the celebrant a leader in Tridentine fashion!"

As with Benodette, I don't quite see Il Papa poring over fabric swatches - or maybe photographs of vestments in the Vatican wardrobes - with Guido Marini in preparation for a Mass. I rather think that he'll be busy poring over his homily - and we all know how much attention he gives to his homilies.

And forgive me, Rcesq, but although I can't see your photos, I remember well a photo of the adult Guido Marini that I saw on a Catholic news website and I have to admit that I fail to see the resemblance. For one, Joseph Ratzinger has always had a very forthright and very direct gaze, even as a young child. And for all his mild-mannered behaviour (as has been reported in the press), I don't quite think that there is the same sweet shyness in Guido Marini's smile that is so very evident in Joseph Ratzinger's smile, as both child and man.

One would have thought that Monsignor Marini would attend the Pope's private Mass in the chapel in the apartment on occasion.

Err ... somehow, I don't quite think so. I daresay that the private Masses celebrated by the Popes in their private chapels are generally meant to be celebrated in the company of their immediate household - in other words, for those who they consider to be the closest thing to "family" that they have in the Apostolic Palace. Collaborator he may be of the Pope, but I daresay that Guido Marini has yet to be considered as part of the Papal "family", and it has been widely reported that Benedict XVI's private Masses are very private affairs indeed. Forgive me, but for Guido Marini to attend a private Papal Mass, at least in my opinion, would be as if my boss (the head of our agency) had one of our Division Chiefs attend a private Mass celebrated outside the office at which only her immediate family and relatives were in attendance.

On a separate note, Mateus, many thanks for the photo of the Russian archbishop - although I must say that he looked a tad unhappy; perhaps it was the cold? Also, could you tell us more about the beautiful designs embroidered along the edges of the cope?

I have just begun reading a biography of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, and last night, I read the chapter concerning her conversion to the Russian Orthodox faith, and her marriage to the then Grand Duke Peter. The description of the Orthodox ceremonies was quite vivid, and now, having seen the photo you posted, as well as your earlier photos, I have a bit of an idea of just how grand and elaborate such rites would have been. Thank you for giving us these glimpses into the liturgy of the Eastern Churches.

First of all, this archbishop is not wearing a cope. He's wearing a sakkos (we cen compare it with the chasuble). On it he has a small omophorion (we can compare it with the pallium). The double-headed eagle is Byzantine and Russian coat of arms. Russians think that Moscow is Third Rome and the succesor of Byzantine Empire.

The sad thing is I actually was excited by Unicorn's description of the green pontifical vesture.