A Vatican observer writes to remark on how things have changed around the place:

An interesting sign of the way things are done now at the Vatican.  Today the Message for World Tourism Day was released (probably won’t make the NBC news).

In 2004, the Message was signed by Pope John Paul II.

In 2005, the first year of Benedict, it was sent "on behalf of the Pope" by Cardinal Sodano.

This year:  It’s signed by Cardinal Martino in his capacity as President of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, and it ain’t on behalf of nobody.

Sadly, Martino isn’t even in Rome – he is in Amarillo, Texas!

I agree that the Pope should not have a message sent over his name for every single thing on earth – but, it is still kinda sad.  Do you know how much the WTO looked forward to its annual message from the Pope?!?