So now, after Frank Rich got a little venomous over the weekend, a papal secretary has said that the pope did not comment on Mel Gibson’s Passion. (When did the Vatican start reacting at near-Drudge Report speed!?!) I’m not entirely sure what to make of the whole thing. There are a few theories I’ve considered or heard, but getting to the bottom of it may never happen—or happen on Vatican time. What I do know, though, is what I’ve previously said: It’s an amazing movie. We’ll be hearing more and more people saying that as they see the thing in coming weeks. On CNN, actually, one of their regular movie-reviewer types praised The Passion yesterday and explained a little of the background behind the production—why Mel Gibson did it. As nice as a papal endorsement is/was/would be, I suspect, people might be more curious about the movie as they hear secular/Jewish/non-Christian-clergy types loving it. In the end, what I really want to know is what the normal people have to say once it hits the theaters next month.

But I’ll hush up about it for now