Brian Zak/Sipa Press/AP As we're sure most of you have heard, Pope Benedict XVI was in the United States last week. It was a fast-paced visit with little time for sightseeing, but on the advice of his trusted confidant and Dancing with the Stars judge Bruno Tonioli, the pontiff went out of his way to make time to attend Thursday night’s taping of The Soup.
Although things initially got off to a rocky start—the pope refused to remove his mitre despite repeated protestations from several audience members seated behind him—but eventually everything smoothed over thanks in no small part to the spiritual leader’s booming and generous laughter. We were obliged to stop filming on several occasions, waiting until His Holiness was able to regain His Composure. (Truth be told, it actually became a little tiresome. Careful viewers may have been able to detect an undertone of irritation present in Joel during the final third of the show. On this occasion, the bourbon was not wholly to blame.)
But no matter, because at the close of the taping all was quickly forgiven when The Holy Father quickly forgave us in a stirring ceremony conducted totally on the fly and without his usual props or handlers. Say what you will: He’s lost it; he’s too old; he’s no John Paul II, etc. Well, you're wrong. This pope, Number 265? He gets it. It’s about the people, not the papal.
Right on, Your Grace! See you at the Olympics!