Sexy ads, drink sales out for Pope's Poland visit

WARSAW, May 26 (Reuters) Sexy advertisements were put under wraps and a ban on liquor sales went into force in areas that Pope Benedict will visit during his just-started tour of Poland.

An eye-catching outdoor poster for an anti-cellulite cream was covered up after a conservative group in this overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country complained that the sight of a woman's bare backside and thigh was offensive.

Tabloid newspapers refrained from publishing their customary topless models on their back pages yesterday, while Warsaw bars were either closed or served only low alcohol content beer.

''We acknowledged this request to respect the feelings of the faithful,'' said Pierre Plassard, director of L'Oreal Polska, explaining why his company had covered up the advert.

''At the same time, we stress that, in our view, this advertisement does not infringe on the widely accepted social norm,'' he added Beata Zmijewska, who works at the government press centre, said the alcohol sale ban ''is about properly participating in Pope Benedict's pilgrimage.'' Benedict is set to retrace the steps of his predecessor John Paul during his trip to Poland, visiting cities such as Warsaw and Krakow and shrines that were central to his life in Poland and trips back as pope.

REUTERS SRS BD1031