Still need a papal ticket? Buy Papa Benny a "Jewish Pizza"!

Apparently these local Jewish confections are a sure way to win Pope Benedict's eternal gratitude:

A famous kosher Italian bakery has an important local patron: Pope Benedict XVI.

Wilma Limentani, the owner of the Boccione bakery in Rome's ancient ghetto, said she recently received a letter of thanks from the Vatican revealing the pope's love for her biscotti and an almond-and-raisin confection dubbed "Jewish pizza."

One of the pope's doctors -- a Jew who stopped by the 453-year-old bakery en route to administering a routine checkup of the pontiff -- introduced the pastries to Benedict.

"Since then he looks forward to each visit by his Jewish doctor or by acquaintances who pass through our neighborhood," Limentani said in Wednesday's Yediot Achronot. (JTA)

Wow, this is almost as effective an ecumenical outreach as drinking protestant beer.

John Thavis, a CNS reporter stationed in Rome, visited the shop to see if the reports were true:

I wandered into Rome’s Jewish ghetto neighborhood because I read an intriguing little report about Pope Benedict’s favorite bakery.

The tiny Limentani pastry shop has long been a favorite of mine. I go for the same reason most people go: their “Jewish pizza,” a type of miniature fruit cake packed with almonds, raisins and other stuff I’ve never identified. It looks terrible and tastes great.

I asked the senior woman behind the counter about the report that the pope had their sweets delivered to his table. Through a series of phrases and gestures, she let me know that it was somewhere between maybe and probably true.

And just in case anyone was worrying:

... the kosher bakery does not use saturated animal fats, [so] Benedict is free to indulge his sweet tooth without fearing for his cholesterol. (source.)

I wonder if they travel well? Hmm.... I wonder if they ship oversees to Catholic bloggers well?

For those of you lucky enough to be in Rome, the address of Pasticceria Limentani is "Via del Portico d’Ottavia 1" and the phone number is 066878637. Hey, It's never too late to earn my eternal gratitude. ;-)

Here's a map should you choose to accept this mission:

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You'll have to figure out the currency exchange rate yourself.