A toast in Rome: the wicked witch is dead

ROME (Reuters) - Across the road from the Colosseum, the ancient Roman stadium consecrated as a holy Christian site, clients at a busy bar are raising a glass to the pope: toasting the departure of the worst Church leader they can imagine.

For drinkers in Rome's best known gay bar, Benedict's abdication is a blessing. "He was less human than the last one," said Flavia Servadei...

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In December, the pope welcomed Ugandan parliament speaker Rebecca Kadaga, one of the proponents of a bill that, in its first draft, sought to impose the death penalty on gays.

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"The college of cardinals is made up of very old people - a male chauvinist gerontocracy," said Grillini. "So we have no illusion about a new pope having more moderate views about civil rights and homosexuality."

Yes, the future pope will undoubtedly be an anti-gay nightmare. But there is heartfelt thanks that this evil pope's reign is ending. Benedict will enter the pantheon of past popes as one of the least popular leaders the church has ever known. This is only fair. The man is a hate-filled beast.

Hat tip to Artichoke Annie for the link.

Timmy Dolan must be excited

From out the blue comes this:

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI said Monday he lacks the strength to fulfill his duties and on Feb. 28 will become the first pontiff in 600 years to resign. The announcement sets the stage for a conclave in March to elect a new leader for world's 1 billion Catholics. 

Can you hear Cardinal Timmy Dolan's heart beating faster? I can almost see the drool hanging from his lips as he considers the possibility that he, little Timmy Dolan, may be the next popey guy. Wow! Wait'll he tells his mom about this!

Benedict called his choice "a decision of great importance for the life of the church." 

Indeed. There are people out there -- gays, for instance -- who might get a fair shake now. Probably not, but the possibility exists with the departure of this evil, hypocritical pope. Of course, if New York's Timmy Dolan steps into the big, gold, pointy hat, things could get worse for everyone. Then again, maybe Timmy's only been following orders these past years. Who knows? On his own, he could discover his heart. I doubt it, but anything is possible.

However, it seems the current pope's evil plan guarantees the continuation of his pogrom against gays and women:

[Resigning while he's relatively well] will also allow Benedict to hold great sway over the choice of his successor. He has already hand-picked the bulk of the College of Cardinals — the princes of the church who will elect the next pope — to guarantee his conservative legacy and ensure an orthodox future for the church.

So. The first pope to resign since the year 1415 is doing so to ensure that his particular brand of evil is perpetuated after his departure. This doesn't bode well for gays and women. Ah, well, let's revel in the joy of the moment. The wicked witch is almost dead, or at least she's retiring her broom. Hooray!