Cut the curls and gossip: Pope’s advice to hair stylists, beauticians

Pope Francis is breaking new ground, literally. No Pope in the recent past would have given an advice to hair stylists and beauticians.

The Pope, on Monday, welcomed hairdressers, hairstylists, and beauticians to the Vatican but warned them not to indulge in gossip while feathering locks or painting fingernails. “Practise your profession in a Christian style, treating customers with kindness and courtesy, and always offering them a good word and encouragement,” he said.

Pope to hairdressers: Cut the gossip, highlight politeness https://t.co/bs5QUZYh0p pic.twitter.com/V7QztEWV7R

— Catholic News Service (@CatholicNewsSvc) April 29, 2019

Snip split ends and wax limbs while ‘avoiding giving in to the temptation of chatter that easily creeps into your work environment,” he urged them during an audience in the Vatican. He said the cosmetologists should be guided by their patron saint, Peruvian Martino de Porres, a 16th-century barber-surgeon whose miracles include levitation, being in two places at once, instant cures, and an ability to communicate with animals.

De Porres, who is also the patron saint of mixed-race people, innkeepers and public health workers, was a barber-surgeon in Lima, an ancient trade which covered everything from haircuts to amputations and bloodletting. “Each of you, in your professional work, can always act with righteousness, thus making a positive contribution to the common good of society,” Francis said. The Argentine pontiff opened a barber shop and washrooms for the homeless in Saint Peter’s Square in 2015.

Twitter but had an instant response to Pope. Someone by the name GretchenInOK said the Pope doesn’t understand how beauty shops work.

Cut hairdresser gossip?
CLEARLY, the Pope doesn’t understand how beauty shops work! ? https://t.co/ZIJiTqz1Xf

— GretchenInOK (@GretchenInOK) April 29, 2019

(With inputs from Agencies)