How Rome Ticks (er-- Picks)
Inside Info on How Rome Ticks (er-- Picks): A tall story:
There were two catholic boys, Timothy Murphy and Antonio Ciccola 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 have 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 and the
world waited to see who 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 the 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
Ciccola.