'It's bratwurst,' said Ralph Schaller, the New York butcher, 'pork from Germany, mixed with weisswurst, which has veal in it, so it's creamier.' The resultant sausage is called Popewurst, a loving tribute to Benedict XVI to mark his visit to the USA in April.

The Pope's tour was, not unpredictably, marked by a vast outpouring of both devotion and cash. A classic fusion - confusion, some would say - of piety ...