TCP Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 Listen, I don't know much about nothing, especially religion. I am not Catholic and I'm pretty sure if I walked into a church I'd burst into flames. But!!! This new Pope is the first Pope, after 266 other Popes, that has a reasonable chance of knowing Wilco. First, let's consider other likely Popes: Pope Nicholas IV? Nope, that dude died 700 years before Uncle Tupelo released Still Feel Gone and therefore sadly never had the chance to listen to Wilco. Pope John Paul II? Yeah, technically Wilco was formed under his watch but in the early to mid 90s he struck me as more of a no-wave fan. I hear you asking, what about Pope Heraclius? Unlikely since he was 1) dead 16 centuries before Wilco dropped Being There and 2) was an Antipope not a Pope. I don't know what an Antipope is but it sounds cool (but probably isn't). Pope Leo XIV though? Let's lay out the facts: He's only 69. Just being honest here, that's not that much older than a lot of Wilco fans in 2025. He's from Chicago, so at the very least I think it's highly likely he would recognize the name Wilco as a band. He assumed the role of "elected provincial" (??) of Augustinian Province of Chicago on March 8, 1999. That was ONE DAY before Summerteeth was released. Are you telling me someone who just returned to Chicago after a decade in Peru isn't going to check out that new record getting a lot of buzz from that local band while they are getting reacquainted with their hometown? I think, during this time, it's possible he heard Can't Stand It on Q101 while out and about. Could there even be a chance this new Pope has been to a Wilco show? Maybe! I mean, probably not, but it's technically possible, unlike all 266 other popes (and let's face it, all the Antipopes too). At the very least I think it's safe to assume the following things: It's highly likely he is aware that Wilco is the name of a rock band It's fairly likely he's unknowingly heard Wilco's music It's somewhat likely he's knowingly heard Wilco's music It's fairly unlikely he's been to a Wilco show And almost certainly unlikely he ordered the Super Deluxe 9LP+4CD boxset of A Ghost is Born but........ not impossible Is any of this important? Not really, no. 1 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 Well, I got an email blast from Chicago venue Sleeping Village today with a subject line declaring that Jeff has assumed the papacy, so... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 Ha! Good stuff. Let's not forget that Pope Leo is an anagram of eel poop, which may or may not be significant, but once you've read it I bet you'll never forget. I also came across this yesterday as a forgotten photo I have - at the Mantiloc Shrine on Mantiloc Island, El Nido, Philippines. Locals attest to it's ancient origins, but then I am getting on a bit. Still, the Holy Spirit moves in mysterious ways. P.S. I didn't actually dismantle anything that was standing there before to do that. The whole place was already a bit of a mess. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 This just in from His Holiness: "Et de Wilco, mox bullam papalem promulgabo, declarans me opera eorum priora multo praeferre." 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 5 hours ago, Albert Tatlock said: I also came across this yesterday as a forgotten photo I have - at the Mantiloc Shrine on Mantiloc Island, El Nido, Philippines. Locals attest to it's ancient origins, but then I am getting on a bit. Still, the Holy Spirit moves in mysterious ways. P.S. I didn't actually dismantle anything that was standing there before to do that. The whole place was already a bit of a mess. Tatlock, you certainly are a well-traveled sort! I guess I should have expected as much, but I might just start calling you Dr. Livingstone or some such. What will be next, a hieroglyphic resembling Jeff discovered in the pyramids of Giza? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 2 hours ago, bböp said: What will be next, a hieroglyphic resembling Jeff discovered in the pyramids of Giza? Something a bit closer to home but interesting evidence according to Mr Von Daniken: Hummingbird, spiders, Jeff. To lend support to your theme, I could have done it with my own pics, but they are analogue from a time long, long ago. Now, where did I put my pith helmet? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
i'm only sleeping Posted May 10 Share Posted May 10 I look forward to a "Jesus etc" in an urbi et orbi homily Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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