Topless male performers spice up papal audience

Earlier today a group of acrobats called Fratelli Pellegrini (Pellegrini Brothers) performed for Pope Benedict XVI during his weekly general audience. After removing their shirts, the men formed a human tower of muscle-bound flesh for the pope and a group of Vatican officials.

From Xtra’s recent review of the Angelo Quattrocchi’s book The Pope’s Not Gay!:

The author revels in many hilarious shots at Benedict’s own rumoured sexual ambiguity. He pokes fun at Ratzinger’s flamboyant sartorial style, his trademark red Prada shoes, his glitter-and-be-gay vestments, and a taste in headwear that would do Philip Treacy proud. He also makes insinuations about the nature of His Holiness’s special relationship with his dreamy, matinee-idol companion, Padre Georg Gänswein.