My new favorite German, Pope Benedict XVI, presided over the Good Friday Way of the Cross procession the other night.
But he did not carry the cross as planned. Why? Because it was raining.
What happens to the Pope if he gets wet? Is this the reason there's no "Dunk The Pope" booth at county fairs?
Word on the Appian Way is that the Pope, who turns 81 next month, was looking at "two more days of strenuous ceremonies in the days ahead to mark Easter" (Egg Hunt and Fancy Hat Judging). Also, Ben had left his perfectly folded rain bonnet in its little plastic case back in the Popemobile and didn't want that anyone should bother running back.
This year's irony ceremony paid tribute to Catholics who are persecuted, and the Pope wasted no time reminding his audience of the hardships their predecessors have endured, citing roars of hungry lions, shouts of amused crowds, and letting themselves be ripped apart and fatally attacked for loyalty to God. He noted, though, that these incidents all occurred on nice dry sunny days, and that his own sacrifice would only be going so far.
I may be Unitarian and I may know nothing about Catholicism...but I do know a perfect running mate for John McCain when I see one.