Pope swimwear?

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dominikus28

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I was wondering, since Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla) was fond of swimming, what would he wear to swim? I have seen images of Karol Wojtyla shirtless with a scapular, but i was wondering what he would wear to swim - if the Pope can do it, it must be modest.

I have seen it suggested on these forums that a modest male would wear long board shorts, but I am not a fan of baggy swimwear, so I was just wondering.

Thanks
 
I can’t help but giggle at this. I want to know too!

Bump
 
Now in all of my years on this forum, I have never even thought to ask this question. Like I tell my students: our faith is never fully learned… I, too, await this answer. 🙂
 
I remember reading a story of once when JP II sneaked out of the Vatican to go skiing. A couple of priests aided and abetted him, they did not know how to ski. JP II had all of the normal ski clothes on. While on the slopes, he spotted a minister of the Italian government he wanted to talk to about some current issue. So he went up to the minister and introduced himself. The minister claimed he was just dumbstruck, could not utter a word when he realized it was the Holy Father who took off his ski mask.

I need to find a reference for that, I don’t exactly remember where I came across the story. Supposedly, once he figured out he could sneak out to go skiing he did it many times.

I have also heard that there have been sightings of a cleric in a black cassock out and about Rome who looks suspiciously like Benedict XVI.

Also, another thread was asking for Catholic mystics who were masculine, it occurs to me JP II would certainly qualify.
 
Apparently Pope John Paul II went secretly skiing on numerous occasions.
In the winter of 1981, the pope, his secretary and two of his Polish aides decided to make a “getaway” to the mountains from the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo.
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They packed into a car owned by one of the priests, in order not to raise suspicions, and when they passed the Swiss Guard post one prelate opened wide a newspaper to hide the pontiff in the back seat.
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Once they arrived, they chose a deserted slope and the pope was able to ski all day long. On the way back, the pope smiled and said, “We did it!” It was the first of many such escapes, the papal secretary said.
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And the odd thing was that, for a long time, no one recognized the pope, Cardinal Dziwisz said. He would dress as other skiers, with a ski jacket, beret and sunglasses, taking his place in line at the lifts with the rest.
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catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0700418.htm
 
So it wouldn’t be immodest to wear 50s style swimwear? Like the ones the new james Bond wears? haha.
I know that there are already so many modesty threads on these forums, but non really address this issue of male swimwear.
 
I know the bikini-style trunks are acceptable in Europe, more than here in the US. It may not be viewed as immodest there. Or maybe they have the usual swimming shorts. Perhaps there’s a private pool in the Vatican so it doesn’t matter what he wears. I haven’t heard of a pope hitting the beaches of Italy.
 
ConstantineTG said:
Perhaps there’s a private pool in the Vatican so it doesn’t matter what he wears. I haven’t heard of a pope hitting the beaches of Italy.
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Pope John Paul II had a swimming pool built at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence, presumably so he could swim in private.
 
rick43235 said:
Speedos.
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Ha-ha . . . I was about to post that! 👍

My guess is swim trunks. By the time he was Pope, he was probably surrounded mostly by men, in which case, trunks would be fine.

Prior to becoming Pope, if he were out with friends, I’d still guess swim trunks. I don’t think there were as many immodest suits at that time.
 
I agree with the swimming trunks (boxer style). These were universal for the 1930s-1950s for men and were considered modest. Some had a modesty flap at the front.

Definitely not Speedos, although for Australia at least (hot climate) Speedos were the most common for men during the 1950s -1970s. Catholic men were allowed to wear them and did for swimming and surf competitions as old photos will confirm. Only surf life savers, competition divers and swimmers and men over 60 (who grew up wearing them at the beach) wear Speedos these days.

And, definitely not boardies (board shorts to the knees or a little below) as these didn’t become common for swimming (actually surfing) till about the 1990s.

So, yes, I’m guessing swimming trunks. I can’t find any pictures of John-Paul II in any swim gear though.
 
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