LA STAMPA, GAZZETTA DEL SUD (Italy)
VATICAN CITY– The countdown to the conclave is on, and everyone seem to wants in on the action. Indeed one man dressed up as a bishop and headed to the Paul VI auditorium on Monday where the cardinals were meeting to discuss the date for the upcoming conclave, says La Stampa.
Andrés Beltramo Alvarez / Andrea Tornielli via La Stampa
Named as Ralph Napierski, the “bishop” donned a cassock that was too short, a bejewelled necklace that was fake, and black sneakers. As well as that, his purple sash turned out to be a scarf. Gazzetta del Sud reports that the man is Australian.
Andrés Beltramo Alvarez / Andrea Tornielli via La Stampa
He successfully managed to sneak into the Vatican this morning and mingle with the 100+ cardinals before being hauled out. The man told reporters his name was “Basilius” and he was a member of “Corpus Dei” and the “Italian Orthodox Church”, which does not exist.
Andrés Beltramo Alvarez / Andrea Tornielli via La Stampa
Before he was discovered, the “bishop” told reporters that Catholic bishops had “made a mistake by moving priests” who were accused of pedophilia around different parishes.
Andrés Beltramo Alvarez / Andrea Tornielli via La Stampa