A day before Pope Leo XIV left for France in September on the fourth major international trip of his papacy, the crew assigned to his aircraft, informally known as “Shepherd One,” received detailed instructions about the flight’s rules.
Gennaro Anastasio, the senior cabin manager, told staff not to take selfies with the pope and to shake his hand if he offered it rather than kiss it. Crew members were also instructed not to make personal requests, such as asking the pontiff to pray for relatives.
The bathroom at the front of the plane, reserved for the pope, had to be checked repeatedly and kept spotless. Staff were told not to address the pope directly, but to communicate through his personal secretaries.
The briefing also covered how to address the accompanying clergy. Cardinals, identified by black robes with red sashes and skullcaps, should be greeted as “eminenza.” Bishops, who wear purple caps and sashes, should be addressed as “eccellenza.”
Anastasio, 67, emphasized the importance of getting the protocol right, while noting that a bishop mistakenly called “eminenza” might respond humorously that he did not hold that rank.
Sources: The New York Times Business.