Okay, am I the only one thinking of a shell game here . . . ?
Madame Sosostris | 10.19.06 - 11:55 am | #

Vatican Magician, Fr. Spectaculo, fools the audience by producing Pope Benedict from under the RIGHT zucchetto instead of the left where the crowd had last seen him.
Ed Peters | Homepage | 10.19.06 - 12:06 pm | #

Ha! Madame S, great minds run alike.
Ed Peters | Homepage | 10.19.06 - 12:07 pm | #

How is Don Giorgio doing these days?
Muslihoon | Homepage | 10.19.06 - 12:36 pm | #

Would you like the one that matches your hair, or that matches your cassock? (pause) Take your time...
Panda Rosa | 10.19.06 - 12:37 pm | #

Monsignor Gaenswein gets frustrated removing the Pope's zucchetto only to find another one has mysteriously appeared.
Jeff Miller | Homepage | 10.19.06 - 12:41 pm | #

For those interested, here's what's happening.

You can buy a new papal zucchetto in Rome. Then, you have the secretary of the Pope exchange the one you bought with the one the Pope is wearing. You get to keep it.
Fr. Stephanos, O.S.B. | Homepage | 10.19.06 - 1:03 pm | #

Well yes, that's what is happening. I've also read that it happens far less with Pope Benedict then it did with JP2.
AmericanPapist | Homepage | 10.19.06 - 1:26 pm | #

Ah, yes, I have heard of that. I think it's all pretty corny. But then, I am American.
Ed Peters | Homepage | 10.19.06 - 2:06 pm | #

Maybe it's the 'backup' zucchetto, in case the first one gets blown off by the wind...
irishgirl | 10.19.06 - 2:21 pm | #

Perhaps there's also some sort of "Russian zucchettos" (like "Russian dolls") thing going on here, Mr. P.? :-D
Madame Sosostris | 10.19.06 - 4:10 pm | #

One for one when he's binding,
the other for when he's loosing.
Fr. Stephanos, O.S.B. | Homepage | 10.19.06 - 4:38 pm | #

Hmmm... needs more starch.
som guy on the street | 10.19.06 - 5:27 pm | #

who is the prelate behind His Holiness? I am sorry. I have seen him countless times with His Holiness but I still don't know who he is. Could someone please tell me? Grazie.
Allie | 10.19.06 - 5:45 pm | #

That is Monsignor Georg Gänswein, the secretary of Pope Benedict XVI.
.
Fr. Stephanos, O.S.B. | Homepage | 10.19.06 - 6:48 pm | #

Allie, also known as Don Giorgio (or so I have read) and evidently is quite admired by the women of Rome. (Check out other pictures of him: he's quite good-looking.)
Muslihoon | Homepage | 10.19.06 - 6:58 pm | #

I was giggling at the additional captions, but laughed out loud at Jeff's!
Laura | 10.19.06 - 6:58 pm | #

Can I just give Il Papa a hug? He looks so endearing ...
L | 10.19.06 - 11:44 pm | #

Pope Benedict XVI's assistant replaces his burned out thinking cap effortlessly during a public audience.
dadwithnoisykids | Homepage | 10.20.06 - 12:41 am | #

Thank you, Father Stephanos and Muslihoon, for answering my question. God bless you all.
Allie | 10.20.06 - 7:35 am | #

I'm surprised no one has ever mentioned how beautiful the Holy Father's hair is. I hope go gray like THAT when it's my turn!
Diane | 10.26.06 - 1:17 pm | #