17129: Gerard: The Dying Pope (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Gerard <grlato@adelphia.net>
>
>        The Pope was dying. He sent a message for Aristide and Baby Doc,
> both
> actual and ex-president of Haiti respectively, to come to The Vatican.
>
>        When they arrived, they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they
> entered
> the room, the Pope held out his hands and motioned for them to sit on each
> side of the bed. The Pope grasped their hands, sighed contentedly, smiled,
> and stared at the ceiling. For a time, no one said anything.
>
>        Both Aristide and Baby Doc were touched and flattered that the Pope
> would ask them to be with him during his final moments. They were also
> puzzled; the Pope had never given them any indication that he particularly
> liked either of them. They both remembered his many long, uncomfortable
> sermons about greed, covetousness, and avaricious behaviour that made them
> squirm in their seats.
>
>        Finally, Aristide said, to the Pope " why did you ask us to come?"
>
>
>        The dying Pope mustered up his strength and then said weakly,
"Jesus
> died between two thieves, and that's how I want to go."
>
>
>