Pope commissions custom-blended eau de cologne

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I don’t even know what to think about this…lol

guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/14/pope-commissions-eau-de-cologne :

He is picky about his robes and his red shoes are tailor-made, but Pope Benedict has taken the meaning of bespoke to a whole new level by ordering a custom-blended eau de cologne just for him.

The fragrance, which mixes hints of lime tree, verbena and grass, was concocted by the Italian boutique perfume maker Silvana Casoli, who has previously created scents for customers including Madonna, Sting and King Juan Carlos of Spain.

Casoli said she had a “pact of secrecy” with her most illustrious client to date, and refused to release the full list of ingredients that had gone into his scent – but she did reveal that she had created a delicate smelling eau de cologne “based on his love of nature”.

Casoli’s scents first came to the attention of Vatican elders when she was commissioned to create fragrances for Catholic pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The two she supplied, Water of Faith and Water of Hope, were liked so much by local priests that they presented samples to the Pope, the Italian daily Il Messaggero reported. Alerted to Casoli’s talents, Benedict put in a request for his own stock of scent. The Vatican has previously played down reports that the 84-year-old pontiff is a snappy dresser, arguing that his unusual hats, including a red panama, reflect his respect for papal tradition rather than an eye for fashion.

And anyone keen to smell like the pope will be disappointed. “I would not ever repeat the same perfume for another customer,” Casoli told the Guardian.

She describes her ready-to-wear perfumes, which are accessible to all, as “made with noble and rare essences which leave an unforgettable olfactory message for him and her”.

The line, which features “sensually elegant” men’s fragrances, also contains a scent named Perfume of Italy, which sums up the smell of Italy’s “seas, mountains and countryside”, and a perfume called Cannabis, which is described as hypnotic.

One that bishops and cardinals might wish to avoid is Nude, a scent inspired “by the smell that only a woman’s skin emanates in a state of ecstasy”.
 
I wonder what a personal custom made perfume cost?

I see articles like this and have no doubt as to why Catholics pretty much ignore the hierarchy, on so many issues.

Jim
 
I wonder what a personal custom made perfume cost?

I see articles like this and have no doubt as to why Catholics pretty much ignore the hierarchy, on so many issues.

Jim
No doubt it’s rather expensive. But consider for a moment that the Holy Father has been a priest for most of his life. He’s been a lecturer and a bishop and—just because it sounds so cool—head of the inquisition. He would have gotten a pretty decent wage and addition to an allowance as the bishop of Rome. You don’t begrudge priests their wages do you? He’s not an avowed religious. He can spend his money however he wishes. He’s earned it. If he wants to smell good then more power to him.

That’s if he even paid for it. It could have been a gift. The perfumer may not have charged because of the client.

I don’t understand why this would be a problem for the laity listening to the hierarchy. It’s sheer arrogance on their part if they use this as an excuse.
 
No doubt it’s rather expensive. But consider for a moment that the Holy Father has been a priest for most of his life. He’s been a lecturer and a bishop and—just because it sounds so cool—head of the inquisition. He would have gotten a pretty decent wage and addition to an allowance as the bishop of Rome. You don’t begrudge priests their wages do you? He’s not an avowed religious. He can spend his money however he wishes. He’s earned it. If he wants to smell good then more power to him.

That’s if he even paid for it. It could have been a gift. The perfumer may not have charged because of the client.

I don’t understand why this would be a problem for the laity listening to the hierarchy. It’s sheer arrogance on their part if they use this as an excuse.
Ditto.
 
No doubt it’s rather expensive. But consider for a moment that the Holy Father has been a priest for most of his life. He’s been a lecturer and a bishop and—just because it sounds so cool—head of the inquisition. He would have gotten a pretty decent wage and addition to an allowance as the bishop of Rome. You don’t begrudge priests their wages do you? He’s not an avowed religious. He can spend his money however he wishes. He’s earned it. If he wants to smell good then more power to him.

That’s if he even paid for it. It could have been a gift. The perfumer may not have charged because of the client.

I don’t understand why this would be a problem for the laity listening to the hierarchy. It’s sheer arrogance on their part if they use this as an excuse.
Agree with you, however most people, including Catholics, dont know the difference between a secular priest (of which the Pope is one) who makes no vow of poverty, and consecrated religious, who do.

Because of that ignorance, it makes for a PR concern.

But you are right, for all we know the perfumer isnt charging the Pope. We simply dont know.
 
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