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"but I'm The Pope, Sit Down."


BG45

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There's a slightly larger post surrounding this story about Pope Francis waking up early as a rule, but if you want to read it, please click here.  Otherwise, enjoy that humility!

 


Recently, when he left his apartment at Domus Marta and went out into the hall, the Pope found a Swiss Guard standing at attention outside his door.

 

He asked him, “And what are you doing here? Were you awake all night?

 

“Yes,” the guard answered respectfully.

 

“Standing?”

 

“One of my colleagues gave me a break.”

 

“And you’re not tired?”

 

“It’s my duty Your Holiness, for Your safety.”

 

The Pope looked at him with kindness. He went back into his apartment and, after a few minutes, returned with a chair in his hand: “At least sit down and rest.”

 

Shocked, the Swiss Guard replied, “Forgive me, but I can’t! The rules don’t allow it.”

 

“The rules?”

 

“My captain, Your Holiness.”

 

“Oh, is that so? Well, I’m the Pope and I am asking you to sit down.”

 

So, between the rules and the Pope, the Swiss Guard, complete with his halberd, chose the chair. And then the Pope brought him some bread and jam for a snack, saying, “Buon appetito, brother.”

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Maximilianus

 I don't envy that guard at that moment... anyone that has ever had to provide security or force protection knows what I'm talking about. 

Edited by Maximilianus
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xTrishaxLynnx

 I don't envy that guard at that moment... anyone that has ever had to provide security or force protection knows what I'm talking about. 

 

Yeah, I can understand how that would be a tough spot to be in. I still can't help but love Pope Francis for it, though.

 

I find the line "Well, I am the Pope, and I am asking you to sit down" very funny - even ironic - because what he is doing is a sign of humility and what he said is his exercising the power that comes from the respect he knows the Pope is given.

 

He's just full of surprises. lol

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DiscerningCatholic

"Well, I'm the pope. Sit down."

 

IF WE WERE ALL POPES THIS WOULD BE SO QUOTABLE.

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This story has been circulating in slightly different forms since late March. I wonder if it is true. I checked Snopes.com and they have nothing on it yet (except in their forum).

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CatherineM

George Costanza did that once, gave a security guard a rocking chair, and the guy slept through a robbery.

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PhuturePriest

George Costanza did that once, gave a security guard a rocking chair, and the guy slept through a robbery.

 

I can't imagine Pope Francis has seen Seinfeld.

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George Costanza did that once, gave a security guard a rocking chair, and the guy slept through a robbery.

 

FATHER-PRIEST: Why do you want to accept the Latvian Orthodox faith? 

GEORGE: (ahem) In this age of uncertainty and confusion, a man begins to ask himself certain questions. How can one even begin to put into words something so um… (trying to think of a word) 

FATHER-PRIEST: Enigmatic? 

GEORGE: No. 

FATHER-PRIEST: Vast? (he pronounces it as "vost") 

GEORGE: No not vast (he pronounces it as "vost") 

FATHER-PRIEST: Well whatever it is, basically you like the religion. 

GEORGE: Yes. 

FATHER-PRIEST 2: Is there one aspect of the faith that you find particularly attractive? 

GEORGE: (he thinks) I think the hats. The hat conveys that solemn religious look you want in a faith. Very pious. 

FATHER-PRIEST: Are you familiar with Orthodox theology? 

GEORGE: Well perhaps, not to the extent that you are. But I know the basic plot. Yeah. 

FATHER-PRIEST: Plot? 

GEORGE: Yes. You know the uh flood, and the uh lepers, and the commandments and all that. 

FATHER-PRIEST 2: Well it’s obvious that you are sincere in your desire. 

GEORGE: Oh yes I am Father. Incredibly sincere. So, uh, pffft, am I in? 

FATHER-PRIEST: The first step would be to familiarize yourself with these texts (brings out a pile of books). 

GEORGE: Ah hah. You see Father, I’m I’m incredibly anxious to become a member. Um, don’t you offer any kind of an express conversion? A quick change? 

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TheresaThoma

I saw this story several weeks ago. I thought it was wonderful, but it also made me wonder just how crazy Pope Francis is driving the Vatican staff! Impromptu trips to churches, paying his own hotel bill, getting a chair and snack for a Swiss guard.... lol!

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CatherineM

I'm pretty sure he's making the Swiss Guard nuts. I understand he decided to show up for the march for life there. Security people like lots of notice to secure things ahead of time.

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GeorgiiMichael

 I don't envy that guard at that moment... anyone that has ever had to provide security or force protection knows what I'm talking about. 

 

Unless that particular Swiss Guardsman was armed with something other than a halberd, he's mostly there for show, but I can definitely see how that could be a difficult situation to be in.

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