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Romaine Voigt's avatar

Poor Francis. “I spent a purgatory with J D Vance and all I got was this stupid tee shirt.” At least it should’ve got him directly through the pearly gates without another delay at the usual transfer station.

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arita's avatar

Can't shake the feeling that this was a Medieval assassination with a Russian tinge.

JD Vance clearly had opportunity, and also had means (between unfettered and uncontrolled access to CIA Ops specialists and even potential Russian assistance who has extensive recent experience in shady assassinations, means could be easily obtained - it shouldn't be too hard to induce a heart-attack into an already ill octogenarian). And it had significant motive, with Opus Dei links and the long term project of the organization to take over the Vatican and move it into a more hard-right stance*. If this were in a court of law, JD Vance would have a strong case to answer.

As it is, it feels as if it was a "So whatchya gonna do about it, bitches?" moment. All of this is much too close to Peter Thiel for comfort, and the timing couldn't have been more symbolic for the 4/20 fascist crowd.

*Strong motive for Kremlin as well to assist if needed, as chaos in Western European institutions only serves its destabilization efforts across the continent but also potentially having the Russian Orthodox church make inroads into the continent.

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arita's avatar

In its symbolism reminds me of Paul von Hindenburg's death in 1933, which Hitler used to seal the fate of the Weimar Republic.

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Frank Montague's avatar

# IN THEORY

*any baptised Catholic male*

*could be made*

# POPE.

This raises the intriguing possibility of

## JD VANCE

ascending to the Papacy.

After all, his *remarkable transformation* from

**Trump critic**

to

**devoted acolyte**

demonstrates an impressive

# FLEXIBILITY WITH DEEPLY HELD BELIEFS

—a valuable skill when managing

two thousand years

of occasionally

contradictory

doctrine.

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Frank Montague's avatar

In theory, any baptised Catholic male could be made Pope.

This raises the intriguing possibility of JD Vance ascending to the Papacy. After all, his remarkable transformation from Trump critic to devoted acolyte demonstrates an impressive flexibility with deeply held beliefs - a valuable skill when managing two thousand years of occasionally contradictory doctrine.

His Vatican homilies would certainly have a unique flavor: "When I was a hillbilly, I thought as a hillbilly, but now I am Pope, I have put away hillbilly things." The Swiss Guard might find themselves replaced with a security detail of Appalachian uncles with questionable pasts but unquestionable loyalty.

The white smoke above the Sistine Chapel announcing "Habemus Papam Vance" would certainly signal a pontificate of unexpected pivots. One day condemning materialism, the next blessing cryptocurrency. His encyclicals would require continuous revision as his positions evolve with each new political wind.

Perhaps most impressively, he could deliver the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing to the city and the world while simultaneously tweeting how Rome isn't what it used to be before all these immigrants arrived.

In conclusion, Pope JD I would certainly bring new meaning to the concept of papal infallibility - as his positions would be correct both before and after completely reversing them.

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Allan Crow's avatar

The prophecy of Saint Malachy, the 112th Pope, 2027?

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Mary-BethSMontgomery's avatar

I fear it will swing back to authoritarian (inner workings seemed to really dislike Pope Francis’ progressiveness) 🤬😭

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Lillian Holsworth's avatar

Vance totes out his catholic faith as if it's some award for him to be praised & thought well of. He is a malefic psychopath of the worse kind.

Vance has no Humanity.. Anyone connected to Opus Dei is a warped evil fiend..words do not suffice how

malificent that group is. Sadly the majority of Americans haven't any idea of how evil this administration & its hidden connections to Opus Dei blithely exist.

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Annie's avatar

Bannon, Cardinal Burke( c. Nationalist) who they want in that position.

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Ginger Pape's avatar

Spot on-praying for a Francis, who was humble, a voice of peace & for the voiceless, including migrants, prisoners & refugees. He understood the challenge AI presents to the world for power/evil. May he rest in peace🙏🏼🕊️

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Kay G's avatar

The Pope got off of his Death Bed to give the Easter blessing of Resurrection and Eternal Life offered to All Humanity

And to reprimand JD Vance

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Richard Turyn's avatar

Russia tried to kill a Pope in 1981 using foreign agents. Who are some of Russia's foreign agents now? Trumpism turns the ridiculous sublime without missing a beat and makes it naive to dismiss what would otherwise be un-entertainable.

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erin's avatar

I only half joked with a buddy yesterday when I read Vladimir Futon was actually getting the same amount of papal FaceTime the gals had in "outer space." Only a mere handshake needed to pass the toxic buttjuice and complete the ASSignment.

Nothing would surprise me with these diabolical clowns.

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Mike Farrace's avatar

"Symbolism" seems too kind. I hope there is an autopsy and that it's conducted by a disinterested party.

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Frank Montague's avatar

" JD VANCE HA UCCISO IL PAPA "-- the headline we'll remember

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