Armed with his favourite red loafers, Pope Benedict showed he can style an accessory like no other faith leaderUnsurprisingly Benedict XVI opted to wear his favourite red leather loafers yesterday.
And no, as the Vatican has tirelessly insisted over the past few years, they aren't by Prada but by Adriano Stefanelli, a little-known Italian cobbler.
They also clearly serve as a sartorial comfort blanket: when playing to an uncertain crowd, it's often best to stick to a wardrobe you can count on.
Benedict did show he can style an accessory like no other faith leader.
Other older men might have draped the tartan rug across their knee, but that would have been too close to nursing-home chic.
Instead the pontiff slung it casually across his shoulders, suggesting he was immediately at home in the popemobile.
His only wardrobe malfunction?
He should have perhaps applied a dash of Touche Eclat concealer under his eyes to hide his dark circles.