Public Appearances, Faux-Pas and DVD!

I am not looking too bad after all.
Photo

You never can tell when you are looking in the mirror but I saw this photo in a few papers today and I am pretty pleased. I was a good looking guy in my younger days but I am under no illusions now. My celibacy has grown to be the natural state of things instead of a vow made in faith. But I don't mind about how I look really. I was just glad to go say hello to everyone yesterday.

Cardinal Sandri is a good guy and a real old friend so when I feared I wasn't able to make my speech he was the first person I thought of. He is a lot of fun. He collects fancy paper but I am not meant to tell you that. :)

He was joking about throwing my speech away and instead reading out one of the secret limericks written by Jesus' cousin, James that is stored in the Vatican Library. James wrote one hilarious one about a song that Jesus wrote one night that had the whole of the Apostles in stiches but as Sanrdi and I were enjoying a good giggle, Ratzie coughed. He had been standing behind us the whole time!

So, if you saw the news footage and thought I looked like I was smiling a little too much, it was because there is nothing funnier than poor old Ratzie when his cheeks turn beetroot and he goes on about "Protecting the heritage... tradition.... sacred... yadda yadda yadda..."

I got a gift today. The complete first series of CSI:Miami from the Bulgarian Orthodox Patriarch Maksim. That was a total surprise. I wish it got here while I was still in hospital but I look forward to all the special features tonight.

I have to head off for prayers. May the Peace of Our Lord Jesus be with you all!