The Shepherd One Beerhaus

So last year, on Memorial Day weekend, the Pope made his first trip outside Rome to the Italian Eucharistic Congress at Bari. And, now, this year, to Poland. Is he trying to crimp our style here in the US or something? Seems like there was a barbeque on the Lot plane heading back.

Don't be fooled, however -- it may look like Hoegaarden or some kind of Hefeweisen, but it's more likely the Pope's beloved Orangina/Fanta....

Given two elements in this shot, it's an easy caption. Four words will suffice: "BAD DAY FOR SSPX."

And, lastly, today's visit to Auschwitz (fulltext of B16's message) marked the third occasion in a year on which Cardinal Joachim Meisner of Cologne has shed public tears.

This isn't a bad thing -- it's actually quite moving, actually, not to mention refreshing, and the cardinal deserves thanks for reminding all of us how nice it is when a prelate doesn't let his emotions be conditioned out of him along the path of ascent.

Four years ago at Dallas, remember well that the US bishops held a "Mass for the Gift of Tears." Suffice it to say, it wasn't a gift God granted them....

Despite the delay, maybe Meisner could lend an assist and serve as the gift-bearer. Yes, it'd be a bit belated... but better (four years) late than never.


PHOTO 1: AP/Czarek Sokolowski
PHOTO 2: AP/Andrew Medichini
PHOTO 3: Reuters/Katarina Stoltz

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