Sorry, but that was NO gaffe

President Bush is taking criticism for not using the term "your holiness" but instead saying "sir" when talking to the Pope? What a bunch of crap. Pope Benedict is a man, nothing more. As such, it should be entirely proper to refer to him as sir, which is a term of respect. I doubt highly that the Apostles Paul or Peter expected to be referred to as "your holiness". Hence, one of many problems I have with Roman Catholicism.

Bush in holy gaffe
Vatican City - US President George W Bush drew gasps at the Vatican on Saturday by referring to Pope Benedict XVI as "sir" instead of the expected "His Holiness", pool reporters said.

They could clearly hear the US leader say "Yes, sir" when the pope asked him if he was going to meet with officials of the lay Catholic Sant'Egidio community at the US embassy later during his visit.

A handful of pool reporters were on hand as Benedict greeted Bush at the door of his private library ahead of a private audience of about half an hour.

On his way to see the 80-year-old pontiff, the US leader apparently recognised someone he knew, and could be heard greeting the person with a casual "How ya doin'?"

The pool reporters also noted Bush's relaxed posture, crossing his legs "Texan style" while facing the pope across his desk in the private study of the apostolic palace.