Still Benedict

And some wondered how the Pope emeritus would handle retirement...

h/t: Jason Bach

Conclave Championship--The Sweet Sistine

Despite it being close to tournament time on the parquet floors, the College of Cardinals does NOT use brackets when conducting their Sweet Sistine.  That being said, the Conclave's Global South bracket seems overweighted and a couple of them are mismatches.

Still this Holy See parody does capture the ebullient spirit for Vatican City edition of March Madness.  As Dick Vitale would say: "It's awesome BABY!"


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Sede Vacante Contretemps

While it may not work this way inside the Conclave, these conceits surely convey the joyful anticipation for the College of Cardinals choice for the next Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. 

While we are waiting for the Chair of St. Peter to be filled, it would behoove the faithful to pray for Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI's successor.


O God, eternal shepherd,
who govern your flock with unfailing care
grant in your boundless fatherly love
a pastor for your Church
who will please you by his holiness
and to you, show watchful care.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

{source Mass for the Election of a Pope The Roman Missal 2011}

Prayer for the Election of a Pope

O God, eternal shepherd,
who govern your flock with unfailing care
grant in your boundless fatherly love
a pastor for your Church
who will please you by his holiness
and to you, show watchful care.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

{source Mass for the Election of a Pope The Roman Missal 2011}

Pope Paul VI on Evil