The Pope not long for this world

I figured that would be an appropriately grim picture. The funniest thing about it is that I actually believe it's unaltered. The Pope, as memory serves, was actually entertained by some breakdancers at some point. And what a marvelous celebration of the human spirit it doubtless was. Anyway.

Leaked reports from the Vatican indicate that his Holiness has passed away, after a reported heart attack and infection caused by the insertion of a nasal feeding tube. News of the pope's death follows an update from around noon that the Holy Father had suffered a loss of blood pressure, and then a loss of consciousness. Honestly folks, this one has been a long time coming. Still, while I disagree with virtually all his political stances, I have to hand it to the guy for toughness, and seemingly genuine good intentions. He was a man of character and resolve, a good man, albiet wrong about a great many things, by my estimation.

As an interesting sidenote that only bears relevance every 50 years or so, traditions surrounding the Pope's death have been carried out through the ages. When the pope dies, the cardinal chamberlain (Camerlengo) of the holy Roman Church (currently Eduardo Cardinal Martinez Somalo) ascertains the pope’s death, traditionally by calling the pope three times by his baptismal name without response. The ritual of, I shit you not, striking the head with a silver hammer (which would later be used to break the Fisherman’s Ring and the papal seal) may be replaced by covering the face with a cloth. Poor Popey. First the assasination attempt and now getting smacked with a ceremonial hammer. I guess it can't all be ham and plaques.