A long delayed "Greetings!"

Greetings! My loyal Catholics, I know it has been two fortnights since I last "updated" my bloog, but I have been so busy completing my treatise on greed and capitalism, Caritas in Varitate, As I sit in my simple palace ("Betsy" I call it!) and gaze out over my modest principality I wonder, what drives men to the depth of greed that nudged the first sinister domino of the world's recent economic collapse? I have said before that greed is a form of idolatry - when men are driven by greed they worship not Him but the objects of their desire. Objects. This is a grievous sin. I pray that they find the favor at the feet of Mary:But as interested as I'm sure you all are, you can read the whole of what I have to say in a few days. Besides, Worldwide Ministry or not, this is my own personal Blog, and I have something of less urgency but of considerable personal interest to me I wish to discuss.

I recently began to play a board game call "Stratego" with a Cardinal, and I must admit that I am hooked! I will not use his name, as for reasons I am not at liberty to discuss the public knowledge of his playing a child's board game might cause an outrage, but he is quite good at "Stratego," and poses to me an intriguing challenge each time we play. The game combines the cunning of chess and the secrecy of Papal subterfuge, which I assure you does not exist. I trust you are all familiar with the game. I am frequently stumped by his bomb placement, and his spy always seems to know where my marshal is. How does he do it?

For any "Stratego" tips you might have, "email" me at popethoughts@gmail.com. Have a good week, and don't forget to tithe!

I'm back from Israel!

Well, it's all been said and done, loyal readers. The trip was, I think a success. Although my open air mass in the Holy Land was poorly attended last week - no one can figure out why. My sermon was on St. Paul's teachings regarding the rendering of sackcloth. To use the parlance of our times, "What Gives?"
Regardless, that is not what has gotten me steamed today. Carla Bruni, the wife of the French president (FRANCE!), has criticized me and my faith. My faith. She thinks that Our stance regarding birth control has contributed to the AIDS epidemic in Africa. She thinks that we need to "evolve" our stance on the issue.
Well you know what you spoiled, vapid, vile supermodel of a Jezebel? The Catholic Church opposes condoms because G-D opposes condoms. You want to criticize someone? I'm just the messenger. Criticize G-D. Oh, what's that? You don't believe in G-d? Well, have fun being deprived of His mercy for all eternity.
Sorry, I had to get that off my chest! I do apologize for the Wrath.

Let me close with a passage from the Book of Luke, in the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ:

“Now, salt is good. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can its flavor be restored? It is suitable neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. People throw it away. Let the person who has ears to hear, listen!” (14:34-35)

You just let that sink in, Carla.

Everyone else: God Bless.

My big trip is tomorrow!

Well, tommorow is the big day! I'm leaving for the Middle-East. Would it be in bad taste to call it a Crusade? Probably. The press would eat that up, those lice.
I am sorry but I am so stressed out!
I am excited, though, about visiting the site of Our Lord's baptism by John (the Baptist). There are talks about building churches for pilgrims. I am glad of this.

My packing is just about done, though I am afraid that I am forgetting something. Here's what I have:
Vestements
Jewelry
"Casual" clothes (jeans, tank-tops, sandals, etc.)
Toothbrush
Bible
Larger Bible
Camera (with extra film, of course)

This seems pretty comprehensive, but this nagging feeling won't go away! Ah well, God will grant me the wisdom by the time I leave tomorrow. Let us close with a psalm pertaining to my trip:


Psalm 121

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.


Of course! Sunblock! Though I trust that the Lord will shade me from the sun, it couldn't hurt!

God Bless you All. Be well.

-The Pope

By the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost - I finally saw Ghost! It always seemed like one of those movies everyone has seen but me, and eventually I just kind of accepted it, you know? But then I was on the phone with Robbie Carlson (new archbishop in St. Louis - you earned it buddy!) and he had just seen it and would not stop talking about it! So I caved and sent someone to Blockbuster to rent it. Man, what a movie. I'll never look at a pottery wheel the same way again, I can tell you. Now they're a lot more sinful! Also I condemn Whoopi Goldberg to hell. Kidding!

I guess I should say a word about the situation in Isreal, but I'm so sick of that. Just google it.

May God bless your weekend.

Greetings!

Greetings, fellow Catholics, Pope here! I thought perhaps I would try out this "blogging" thing, that I may more easily communicate with the world. This "blog" is to be a truly worldwide ministry (I pray it is not one built upon sand!:) ) And sometimes I'll let you all in on some of my random thoughts, because frankly Cardinals are terrible listeners!

For instance my upcoming trip to Israel is causing me much grief. What will the weather be like? Should I pack my own toiletries, or will they be provided? I fear that in the hot desert sun of the Holy Land I will fulfill the words of the prophet Isaiah:
"Instead of fragrance there will be a stench;
instead of a sash, a rope;
instead of well-dressed hair, baldness;
instead of fine clothing, sackcloth;
instead of beauty, branding."

Just kidding!

God bless.