The New Pope
There were two Catholic boys, Timothy Murphy and Antonio Secola
whose lives paralleled each other in amazing ways. In the same
year Timothy was born in Ireland, Antonio was born in Italy.
Faithfully they attended parochial school from kindergarten through
their Senior year in High School. They took their vows to enter the
priesthood early in college, and upon graduation became priests.
Their careers had come to amaze the world, but it was generally
acknowledged that Antonio was just a cut above Timothy in all
respects.
Their rise through the ranks of Bishop, Archbishop, and finally
Cardinal was meteoric to say the least, and the Catholic world knew
that when the present Pope died, it would be either Timothy or
Antonio who would become the next Pope.
In time the Pope did die, and the College of Cardinals went to work.
In less time than anyone expected, smoke rose from the chimney
at the Vatican and the world waited to see whom they had chosen.
The world, Catholic, Protestant and secular, was surprised to learn
that Timothy Murphy had been elected Pope.
Antonio was beyond surprise; he was devastated, because, even
with all Timothy's giftedness, Antonio knew he was better qualified.
With gall that shocked the Cardinals, Antonio asked for a private
session with them in which he candidly asked, "Why Timothy?"
After long silence one old Cardinal took pity on the bewildered
Antonio and rose to reply, "We knew you were the better of the two,
but we just could not bear the thought of the leader of the Roman
Catholic Church being called ... Pope Secola.
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