Sir, – Gina Menzies is quoted as praising Pope Francis for relinquishing "monarchical trappings and pomp" (Patsy McGarry, "The world has fallen in love with Pope Francis, but we should be cautious", October 6th). The Vatican gave up its last claims to the papal states with the Lateran treaty in 1929; the Noble Guard and the sedia gestatoria disappeared in the 1960s; the last pontifical coronation was Paul VI's and that pope sold the papal crown; and Benedict XVI removed the crown from the papal coat of arms.
Benedict XVI, she assures us, closed down all theological dialogue. What does she think his meeting with Hans Küng in 2006 was about? – Yours, etc,
CDC ARMSTRONG,
Belfast.