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Benedict XVI's red loafers have drawn attention since he became Pope in 2005.

Dubbed the "Prada Pope" after the supposed maker of the shoes, Benedict has been seen wearing the ruby red shoes during his trips and other important events.

The loafers are seen as a statement of his desire to demonstrate continuity with the symbols and history of the Church.

His predecessor, Pope John Paul II, wore brown shoes, which stood out. Though wearing red shoes is a papal tradition, the practice is optional.

Theology Professor Lawrence Cunningham of Notre Dame, in a podcast for NPR.org, said the Pope's red shoes symbolize the blood of martyrdom.

"Traditionally, in the Catholic Church, the color red commemorates the blood of martyrdom ... Fire and red are identified with the Holy Spirit," Cunnigham said.

The shoes cost around $640 a pair, but the Pope gets them for free.


SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN, CIRCA 2008 Playfully dubbed the
“Prada Pope” for his red loafers, Benedict XVI wears the papal
footwear’s traditional color. Red symbolizes the blood of martyrs.

Thanks for posting Bulak,now I know why.

Wa ko ma say sa iyang fashion.

but i like the previous POPE better that him.

pope john paul looked cuddly!:) hehe.. not intimidating at all:0

HAHAHA mo hip-hop pa man gani to sha! i missed Him!

he was close to the Filipinos te no?

yeah and he was lovable kay bugoy man to sha!

He is missed every year.

He revitalized Roman Catholicism when he sat on Peter's Chair.


The Philippines comes out to greet the Holy Father when he visited in 1981.


back in 1995

John Paul II visited the Philippines twice:

    1) In 1981, when the pope was said to have made the lifting of Martial Law a precondition for his visit; and
    2) In 1995, when the pope said Mass for more than 4 million people, the largest-ever crowd for a World Youth Day gathering, if not for any gathering. The heir of St. Peter, the first apostle, came to the Philippines twice.

John Paul II was very critical towards the Soviet Union. Wherever he went, he raised the masses and the faith. Remember when he visited Poland during the 80s? Despite the USSR's anti-religious stance, when the Pope came to visit, there were over 2 million Polish who came to visit. 2 years after his visit, the USSR fell.
He was a Holy Man. And God was With Him.

Concerning the Philippines, John Paul II was always against Marcos. He was said to have personally talked to Marcos about telling him about the evils of Martial Law and official killings. Marcos didn't know how to respond to it.
5 years after his visit, Marcos' regime fell. Democracy came back.

pope john's compassion was seen in his face jud..

murag he did it all not only because it was his duty