Pope Goestheveezl was the shortest reigning pope in the history of the Church, reigning for two hours and six minutes on 1 April 1866. The white smoke had hardly faded into the blue of the Vatican skies before it dawned on the assembled multitudes in St. Peter's Square that his name had hilarious possibilities. The crowds fell about, helpless with laughter, singing Half a pound of tuppenny rice Half a pound of treacle That's the way the chimney smokes Pope Goestheveezl The square was finally cleared by armed carabineri with tears of laughter streaming down their faces. The event set a record for hilarious civic functions, smashing the previous record set when Baron Hans Neizant B"ompzidaize was elected Landburgher of K"oln in 1653. -- Mike Harding, "The Armchair Anarchist's Almanac"

Pope Goestheveezl was the shortest reigning pope in the history of the

Church, reigning for two hours and six minutes on 1 April 1866. The

white smoke had hardly faded into the blue of the Vatican skies before it

dawned on the assembled multitudes in St. Peter's Square that his name

had hilarious possibilities. The crowds fell about, helpless with

laughter, singing

Half a pound of tuppenny rice

Half a pound of treacle

That's the way the chimney smokes

Pope Goestheveezl

The square was finally cleared by armed carabineri with tears of laughter

streaming down their faces. The event set a record for hilarious civic

functions, smashing the previous record set when Baron Hans Neizant

B"ompzidaize was elected Landburgher of K"oln in 1653.

-- Mike Harding, "The Armchair Anarchist's Almanac"



Source: http://www.askmatt.info