Habemus Papam!

[Alain Maréchal]

Favourites of James Joyce and Gerard Manley Hopkins, I believe.

Now who was it who said...?

Jesuits - if they owned Switzerland they wouldn't let you have a slide.

[scottycelt]

Favourites of James Joyce and Gerard Manley Hopkins, I believe.

I think rather more than 'favourites' in the case of Manley Hopkins ...

[Ferretfancy]

To be just a teensy bit pompous, may I say that tonight's Channel 4 News was an absolute disgrace. John Snow in Rome seemed to have taken leave of his senses, he may be a good interviewer, and OK on the autocue, but he simply hadn't a clue this evening. The whole bulletin was a mess from beginning to end, almost laughable in the way that every time they handed back to the studio in London they hurried back again to witness -- nothing!

When the new Pope Francis finally appeared, and gave an address in Italian, they were completely unprepared, with no translator available. This Channel 4 broadcast was the equivalent of the BBC's coverage of the Thames Pageant for the Queen's Jubilee. Neither Archbishop Nicholls or Cardinal O'Connor could offer anything useful, in spite of talking at some length, it was a complete disaster.

[Roehre]

BBC2 and BBC News were excellent I have to say.
Just watching the wrong channel, FF

[Nick Armstrong]

To be just a teensy bit pompous, may I say that tonight's Channel 4 News was an absolute disgrace. John Snow in Rome seemed to have taken leave of his senses, he may be a good interviewer, and OK on the autocue, but he simply hadn't a clue this evening. The whole bulletin was a mess from beginning to end, almost laughable in the way that every time they handed back to the studio in London they hurried back again to witness -- nothing!

When the new Pope Francis finally appeared, and gave an address in Italian, they were completely unprepared, with no translator available. This Channel 4 broadcast was the equivalent of the BBC's coverage of the Thames Pageant for the Queen's Jubilee. Neither Archbishop Nicholls or Cardinal O'Connor could offer anything useful, in spite of talking at some length, it was a complete disaster.

Yes it was a shambles... not helped by the fact that they left Snow's mike live while they were grappling to understand who t'new chap on the throne was. Not their finest hour.

Mind you I find that sanctimonious tone that seeps over all BBC coverage of such events (like Royal ones - tho at least we were spared the bloody man Witchell) intolerable too.

[Mr Pee]

BBC2 and BBC News were excellent I have to say.
Just watching the wrong channel, FF

Sky news was best, as usual.

[Flosshilde]

Taking Murdoch's shilling again, Mr Pee?

[scottycelt]

To be just a teensy bit pompous, may I say that tonight's Channel 4 News was an absolute disgrace. John Snow in Rome seemed to have taken leave of his senses, he may be a good interviewer, and OK on the autocue, but he simply hadn't a clue this evening. The whole bulletin was a mess from beginning to end, almost laughable in the way that every time they handed back to the studio in London they hurried back again to witness -- nothing!

When the new Pope Francis finally appeared, and gave an address in Italian, they were completely unprepared, with no translator available. This Channel 4 broadcast was the equivalent of the BBC's coverage of the Thames Pageant for the Queen's Jubilee. Neither Archbishop Nicholls or Cardinal O'Connor could offer anything useful, in spite of talking at some length, it was a complete disaster.

BBC wasn't much better.

As with the Royal Pageant, Sky News won this contest hands down. Intelligent comment from guests, duly respectful but also critical when appropriate. Fewer silly and pointless interviews with onlookers.

Nicholls and O'Connor often dealt in platitudes when questioned but, to be fair, it's difficult to see what else they could have done in such circumstances. They had little more idea of what was really going on behind those closed doors than the average viewer.

I suppose we should just be grateful that David Cameron didn't suddenly appear in front of the cameras to claim sole credit for the result, though I believe he was among the first to tweet his 'congratulations' on Twitter ...

[Roehre]

Yes it was a shambles... not helped by the fact that they left Snow's mike live while they were grappling to understand who t'new chap on the throne was. Not their finest hour.

Mind you I find that sanctimonious tone that seeps over all BBC coverage of such events (like Royal ones - tho at least we were spared the bloody man Witchell) intolerable too.

We agree, British news (in what shape or media whatsoever) is s**t anyway

[Ferretfancy]

Why is it that when it comes to Royalty or the Papacy journalist's brains turn to pulp?

[amateur51]

ah well that will take their minds off the Falklands!

[amateur51]

Sky news was best, as usual.

An example of Sky News being 'best, as usual' ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gkHwU4DRA8

Poor Jeremy, I say

[Mr Pee]

An example of Sky News being 'best, as usual' ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gkHwU4DRA8

Thanks for that link. I enjoyed it the first time and it was fun to watch again!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Sky news was best, as usual.

I cannot say one way or the other, not having Sky, but the whole idea of sending journalists to a location to talk about nothing happening for perhaps days on end, and discussing the colour of smoke and repeating their endless speculations, is, frankly, ludicrous.

[Mr Pee]

talk about nothing happening for perhaps days on end, and discussing the colour of smoke and repeating their endless speculations, is, frankly, ludicrous.

A bit like this thread, then?