Oh, glorious 2025—when the most consistent thing in our lives is the ceaseless drumbeat of world-shaking news and the creeping realization that no one is actually driving the bus. Now, as Father Nathan so eloquently screamed into the void, the Pope has checked out of the earthly Marriott, and we’re all left wondering what happens when the most powerful man in a robe who isn’t RuPaul finally kicks the papal bucket.
First off, bless Father Nathan for saying what the rest of us muttered into our stained pillows: “Well, fck.”* Because let’s be honest, even those of us who left the Church around the same time we left our last Tinder date on read… we still feel that spiritual “uh-oh” when the white hat topples over.
And now we’re all stuck in the Vatican’s version of “Weekend at Bernie’s,” where a secretive man called the camerlengo checks the pulse (likely with a holy iPhone), declares the death, and shreds the pope’s signature ring like it's a subpoena at Mar-a-Lago. Because nothing says sacred tradition like medieval security protocols and papal seal destruction ceremonies worthy of a spy thriller.
Let’s also not pretend this isn’t one of the most politically loaded papal elections in modern memory. With 1.4 billion Catholics and at least 3 of them still paying attention to doctrine, the stakes are higher than Mitch McConnell's blood pressure during Pride Month. Israel, Ukraine, MAGA saints, and AI-generated theologies are all in the mix, hoping the next pontiff speaks fluent holy ambiguity.
But here's the deeper truth: what the Vatican calls “divine selection,” the rest of us call spiritual Hunger Games. And behind every prayer is a powerbroker with a private jet and a rosary made of fossil fuels.
So yeah, Father Nathan, pour the wine. We’re gonna need a long sit-down to unpack the fact that one man’s death now kickstarts a geopolitical morality battle disguised as incense and Latin chants. I’ll bring the frankincense. You bring the memes.
🕯️ Blessings upon the next pope, whoever he may be—may he disappoint every political faction equally, as is tradition.
Not religious but sad to see that this good man has died. He was the best Pope for the times we could hope for in my view. Not optimistic about who they will choose next. Hopefully, not an American.
I can't help but wonder if he was poisoned, smothered, or deprived of medicine. I wouldn't put it past the more high-ranking conservative Catholics to do it. Putin, Netanyahu, and of course the US Administration are all suspects too. He would be easy to kill and make it look natural because he was a sick elderly man. So tempting!
On the other hand, while he could have tried harder, I couldn't also help think "well done, good and faithful servant" for Francis himself. He tried to live out his faith until the end. My (Anglican) priest and several parishioners were complaining about how Francis should retire because apparently being old and getting sick means you should get shoved aside. (Ironic, considering these were all young elderly people themselves.) I guess they got their wish.
The thing is, conservatives can rejoice all they want and appoint as many popes as they want, but it doesn't change anything of what Jesus said in the Gospels. He is the ultimate radical they still can't get rid of.
He was in very poor health after his hopitalization. The cause of death was reported as a stroke that caused heart failure. As many people have noted, he also met with JD Vance on Easter, so you can blame VP for sending him over the edge.
I don't doubt he was in poor health and I hope this was just coincidence. We probably will never know and that is okay. It ultimately doesn't make a difference. If someone were responsible, they probably would never face justice.
As a former Roman Catholic who deliberately moved to the Episcopal church under Pope Benedict, I always admired and prayed for Pope Francis as he attempted to counteract the most destructive and vindictive conservatives by whom he was surrounded. This morning's news was a true "well, f+ck" moment for me as well. Thank you for this planned series on the Papacy, Fr. Nathan. I look forward to it very much.
Yes, this is a whole thing. I remember the realignment of sun, stars, and moon that took place after John Paul II passed on but more it was the realignment of said celestial entities (ish) when he came into the papacy. I don't quite remember folks being thrilled with John Paul I ... I am not Catholic and the Catholics I know rarely spoke about liking or disliking a pope until II. It always seemed like the pope was the CEO you had to listen to, period. But then at the death of JP II, the coming in of Benedict, and then the dual pope thing and Francis, it's been a lot! And let's not even talk about the politics: it makes the film "The Conclave" seem extra tame!
Oh, glorious 2025—when the most consistent thing in our lives is the ceaseless drumbeat of world-shaking news and the creeping realization that no one is actually driving the bus. Now, as Father Nathan so eloquently screamed into the void, the Pope has checked out of the earthly Marriott, and we’re all left wondering what happens when the most powerful man in a robe who isn’t RuPaul finally kicks the papal bucket.
First off, bless Father Nathan for saying what the rest of us muttered into our stained pillows: “Well, fck.”* Because let’s be honest, even those of us who left the Church around the same time we left our last Tinder date on read… we still feel that spiritual “uh-oh” when the white hat topples over.
And now we’re all stuck in the Vatican’s version of “Weekend at Bernie’s,” where a secretive man called the camerlengo checks the pulse (likely with a holy iPhone), declares the death, and shreds the pope’s signature ring like it's a subpoena at Mar-a-Lago. Because nothing says sacred tradition like medieval security protocols and papal seal destruction ceremonies worthy of a spy thriller.
Let’s also not pretend this isn’t one of the most politically loaded papal elections in modern memory. With 1.4 billion Catholics and at least 3 of them still paying attention to doctrine, the stakes are higher than Mitch McConnell's blood pressure during Pride Month. Israel, Ukraine, MAGA saints, and AI-generated theologies are all in the mix, hoping the next pontiff speaks fluent holy ambiguity.
But here's the deeper truth: what the Vatican calls “divine selection,” the rest of us call spiritual Hunger Games. And behind every prayer is a powerbroker with a private jet and a rosary made of fossil fuels.
So yeah, Father Nathan, pour the wine. We’re gonna need a long sit-down to unpack the fact that one man’s death now kickstarts a geopolitical morality battle disguised as incense and Latin chants. I’ll bring the frankincense. You bring the memes.
🕯️ Blessings upon the next pope, whoever he may be—may he disappoint every political faction equally, as is tradition.
– Virgin Monk Boy
Not religious but sad to see that this good man has died. He was the best Pope for the times we could hope for in my view. Not optimistic about who they will choose next. Hopefully, not an American.
I can't help but wonder if he was poisoned, smothered, or deprived of medicine. I wouldn't put it past the more high-ranking conservative Catholics to do it. Putin, Netanyahu, and of course the US Administration are all suspects too. He would be easy to kill and make it look natural because he was a sick elderly man. So tempting!
On the other hand, while he could have tried harder, I couldn't also help think "well done, good and faithful servant" for Francis himself. He tried to live out his faith until the end. My (Anglican) priest and several parishioners were complaining about how Francis should retire because apparently being old and getting sick means you should get shoved aside. (Ironic, considering these were all young elderly people themselves.) I guess they got their wish.
The thing is, conservatives can rejoice all they want and appoint as many popes as they want, but it doesn't change anything of what Jesus said in the Gospels. He is the ultimate radical they still can't get rid of.
He was in very poor health after his hopitalization. The cause of death was reported as a stroke that caused heart failure. As many people have noted, he also met with JD Vance on Easter, so you can blame VP for sending him over the edge.
I don't doubt he was in poor health and I hope this was just coincidence. We probably will never know and that is okay. It ultimately doesn't make a difference. If someone were responsible, they probably would never face justice.
As a former Roman Catholic who deliberately moved to the Episcopal church under Pope Benedict, I always admired and prayed for Pope Francis as he attempted to counteract the most destructive and vindictive conservatives by whom he was surrounded. This morning's news was a true "well, f+ck" moment for me as well. Thank you for this planned series on the Papacy, Fr. Nathan. I look forward to it very much.
It's interesting that you selected Angel's and Demons as your cinematic reference instead of Conclave.
I’m planning to do an entire post just on Conclave as part of this series
Well, it won't let me get rid of autocorrect's beloved "you can't want a plural of a name you.must mean possessive"
How accurate do you consider the movie Conclave?
Yes, this is a whole thing. I remember the realignment of sun, stars, and moon that took place after John Paul II passed on but more it was the realignment of said celestial entities (ish) when he came into the papacy. I don't quite remember folks being thrilled with John Paul I ... I am not Catholic and the Catholics I know rarely spoke about liking or disliking a pope until II. It always seemed like the pope was the CEO you had to listen to, period. But then at the death of JP II, the coming in of Benedict, and then the dual pope thing and Francis, it's been a lot! And let's not even talk about the politics: it makes the film "The Conclave" seem extra tame!