Lingua Sancta

From the Vatican News Service:

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2006 (VIS) - At the end of the general audience, the
Pope addressed a greeting in Latin to students at the faculty of Christian
and Classical Literature of the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome.


"My predecessors rightly encouraged the study of [this] great language,"
said the Pope in Latin, "in order to achieve a better understanding of the
sound doctrine contained in the ecclesiastical and humanistic disciplines.
In the same way, we encourage the continuation of this activity, so that as
many people as possible may perceive the importance of this treasure and
attain it."

Not quite as good as "Learn Latin or you don't get ordained." But better, as my grandma used to say, than a kick from a donkey.