[Acrylic-bob]

Interestingly it was reported a couple of weeks ago, when the Pope was last in hospital, that news media companies have been feverishly buying up properties in Rome that overlook St Peter's so that they can have vantage points for the televising of the funerary exequies of the current Pope and the election and coronation of his successor.

I now have little time for the religion I was brought up in, but I still take an interest in it's proceedings. As I think I mentioned in earlier threads, I quite like the theatrical aspect of it all.

The current speculation on the health of the Pope puts me in mind of that surrounding the last few weeks of the Queen Mother's life. It is a little distasteful. However distressing it may be for us to witness the decline in his health, and I agree he looked very poorly on television last evening, he may yet surprise us all. In any case, I am sure that, like the Queen, he will endeavor to carry out his duties to the very best of his abilities for as long as is humanly possible. He is a very courageous and determined man. Though I cannot agree with all that he has said and done during his Pontificate, I think that the world will be the poorer for his passing.