I was inspired to draw this cartoon after reading a very funny anecdote about Pope John XXIII, best remembered today for calling the Second Vatican Council which ushered in a new era for the Roman Catholic Church.
He was elected pope in 1958 at age 77. The convening of all Roman Catholic cardinals to elect a new pope is known as a conclave.
Hard to believe today, but security was not a major issue back in 1958. Pope John liked to get out of the Vatican and meet people, and would often stroll the streets of Rome dressed as an ordinary prelate.
He was a huge man, and on one occasion he overheard a woman talking about how fat the pope was. He turned to her and said:
“But, Madame, you must know that the conclave is not exactly a beauty contest!”
He sounds like my kind of quipster.
He was once asked how many people worked at the Vatican. His reply: “About half.”
A little boy wrote asking advice. The boy said he wanted to be either a policeman or Pope, but couldn’t decide which. Pope John wrote back advising him to become a policeman, because “Anybody can be pope; the proof of this is that I have become one.”
Amazing, isn’t it, how humanizing a sense of humor can be.
More Pope John wit and wisdom here.
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Got any funny stories about popes, saints, or other religious leaders?
Do you think there will be free donuts in Heaven?
Hope you’ll leave a comment.
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