4.7.07

According to the recent "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road" released by the Vatican, a good Christian does not use cars as status symbols designed to make others envious.

In reply to this release, Ferrari general manager Amadeo Felisa told Reuters that he doesn't feel owning a Ferrari is a sin. He commented that "most of the marque's customers make a purchase because they simply love to drive." In this way, he is sure that buying a Ferrari isn't a sin. The average mileage of the marque might provide an objective measure of the soundness of his reasoning of course.

Historically the Vatican and Ferrari have had good relations. In January 2005, a large group of Ferrari's employees - including F1 drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello - met the late Pope John Paul II.

His successor Pope Benedict XVI has held a private audience with Ferrari's President Luca di Montezemolo, Vice President Piero Ferrari and a selected delegation of the company's representatives.

At the meeting, President Montezemolo presented the Pope with a cheque for €950,000 raised by the sale of the 400th "Enzo", a car specially made to be auctioned for charity.

The Pontiff was also given special gift: Michael Schumacher's F2004 steering wheel, with the following dedication: "The Formula 1 World Champion's steering wheel to His Holiness Benedict XVI, Christianity's driver". Wonder if the present Pope's racing sympathies lie elsewhere, especially with Schuey having retired?