Bush uses inappropriate honorific to address Pope

President Bush reportedly elicited gasps from those in attendance when he responded to a question from Pope Benedict by calling him "sir," rather than "Your Holiness."

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.

Now ordinarily, I'd say "who cares?" and rebuke the press for making much ado about nothing. Even in the context of this president's international gaffes, this one could be considered, well, pretty bush league. He has a ways to go, frankly, before he comes close to matching the cringeworthiness of the Angela Merkel shoulder rub. Heck, he might even deserve some credit for stopping short of addressing the Pope as "Benny."

However, this is a president who is infamously prickly when he perceives that someone is insufficiently respectful of his official status. I am reminded of a press conference during which he interrupted a question because the reporter did not begin with the proper honorific.

THE PRESIDENT: I just met with Specialist Chris Hill's family from North Carolina. You know, I told the family how much we appreciated his sacrifice -- he was killed in Iraq -- and assured him that we would stay the course, that a free Iraq was very important for peace in the world, long-term peace, and that we're being challenged in Iraq because there are people there that hate freedom. But the family was pleased to hear that we -- its son would not have died in vain. And that's an important message that I wanted to share with you today.

Let me ask you a couple of questions. Who is the AP person?

Q I am.

THE PRESIDENT: You are?

Q Sir, in regard to --

THE PRESIDENT: Who are you talking to?

Q Mr. President, in regard to the June 30th deadline, is there a chance that that would be moved back?

THE PRESIDENT: No, the intention is to make sure the deadline remains the same. I believe we can transfer authority by June 30th. We're working toward that day. We're, obviously, constantly in touch with Jerry Bremer on the transfer of sovereignty. The United Nations is over there now. The United Nations representative is there now to work on the -- on a -- on to whom we transfer sovereignty. I mean, in other words, it's one thing to decide to transfer. We're now in the process of deciding what the entity will look like to whom we will transfer sovereignty. But, no, the date remains firm.

That's our Bush: embarrassingly inappropriate, childishly thin-skinned, and a complete hypocrite. Truly a man for all seasons.