PopeWatch: Well bring her on back.
Swiss Guard: Astrid is in Rome. I have no idea who this is.
PopeWatch: Go out of the door on the left, turn to your right, go down the corridor, and go into the office on your left hand side. I don’t want her to see you, at least not immediately.
Exit Swiss Guard.
Enter Secretary with twenty something Sister not wearing a habit.
PopeWatch: Leta, stay. I think I would like a note made of this conversation.
Sister: (Smiles) I am Sister Ignatia of the Society of Jesus.
PopeWatch: Honored Sister. Please sit down. I was unaware that the Society admitted female members.
Sister: Formally we do not. Informally, since 2019.
PopeWatch: Interesting. Well, what can I do for you.
Sister: The Order would like to retain your services in a real estate transaction. I am sorry to drop in on you unannounced. An appointment was supposed to be made by my Mother Superior, but apparently this was not done.
PopeWatch: What real estate?
Sister: The abandoned female prison on the outskirts of Dwight.
PopeWatch: I am quite familiar with it. It is in sad shape.
Sister: So we are aware, but it will suit our purposes.
PopeWatch: And what might those purposes be?
Sister: Why, the first Jesuit convent.
To Be Continued
Anyone who has read those old writings of Dr. Mary Daly or Rosemary Ruether about womens (nun’s?) roles in the “new church” knows where this one is going.