I'm not Catholic, but I'd bet the AP captionist $100 this ain't a "cane". In fact, it looks exactly like the shepherd's staff that is part of the cardinal's liturgical vestments.
At least he didn't mention the guy's red beanie.
Jean-Claude Cardinal Turcotte gathers his thoughts as he leans on his cane during a memorial mass for Pope John Paul II Saturday, April 2, 2005, in Montreal, Canada. The Pope died Saturday at the age of 84. (AP Photo/CP, Paul Chiasson)
That caption is just two steps away from, "This dude in his lucky cap, leaning against his cane whilst wearing his favorite pajamas and 'magic' watch is doing one of them weird church thingies we've all outgrown."
Posted by: marc at April 2, 2005 11:09 PMInteresting geometric designs on the guy's muumuu.
Posted by: Donnah at April 2, 2005 11:27 PMHe does seem to have a strange fetish for intersecting lines for some reason.
Posted by: marc at April 2, 2005 11:30 PMSend in "Queer Eye for the Catholic Guy", because it looks to me like he could use a little manscaping.
Posted by: Donnah at April 3, 2005 03:05 AMYou got the purpose exactly correct. It is called a Crosier.
Posted by: Joel (No Pundit Intended) at April 3, 2005 11:59 PMThis is one of the funniest threads I've ever read! You guys are very good at conveying sarcasm in print, which is really really hard. Thank you for making my morning!!
Posted by: Anne at April 4, 2005 01:10 PMIt's all in the wrist, Anne.
Posted by: Donnah at April 4, 2005 01:46 PM