So things have changed a little at the Vatican.

[journalismgirl]

Before Pope John Paul II died, I had read somewhere that he would be hit in the head with a mallet to make sure he was really dead.

No, not according to the New York Times.

John Paul's doctor ran an electrocardiogram for 20 minutes "according to Vatican norms" to verify his death, the report said

Comments

[jpallan]

. . .

Oh my god the IMAGE.

Specifically:

"Oh, I can't take him like that. It's against regulations."

"I don't want to go on the cart!"

"Oh, don't be such a baby."

"I can't take him."

"I feel fine!"

"Well, do us a favour."

"I can't."

"Well, can you hang around a couple of minutes? He won't be long."

"No, I've got to get over the Robinsons'. They've lost nine today."

"Well, when's your next round?"

"Thursday."

"I think I'll go for a walk."

"You're not fooling anyone, you know. Look. Isn't there something you can do?"

(singing) "I feel happy. I feel happy."

[WHOMP]

"Ah, thanks very much."

"Not at all. See you Thursday."

Now, in place of the granther over the medieval Englishman's shoulder, picture John Paul II.

. . . And on a more serious note, how in hell do they think beating someone about the head with a mallet is going to induce them to return to the vale of tears?

[journalismgirl]

I kid you not.

From the Catholic Encyclopedia (it's amazing the stuff that I'm paid to know): In the presence of the household he strikes the forehead of the dead pope three times with a silver mallet, calling him by his baptismal name.

But now, thanks to the channeling of Monty Python, I'm sitting here in my last 10 minutes of work, trying really really hard not to laugh.

[dewskiss3]

bet you read it in dan brown.

[journalismgirl]

Nope, multiple sources, none of which was Dan Brown. Catholic Encyclopedia was one of them.