# Fictional popes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 4, 2021, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-popes/948049 "2021-08-04T21:31:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-popes/948049/61 "2021-08-12T19:38:08Z")
Played by – Shirley the python. ---
**Author:** ![Clark\_Cello](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Clark\_Cello](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clark_Cello)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-popes/948049/62 "2021-08-12T20:29:31Z")
The Gabriel Allon books by Daniel Silva have a couple of fictional popes. The first is preceded by John Paul II. I don’t think it ever specifically says “John Paul II”, but it is clearly him. This alternate universe then takes a turn and a pope that is clearly not modeled on Benedict in any way is instead elected, and later, his chief of staff is. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2021, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-popes/948049/63 "2021-08-12T23:21:15Z")
National Lampoon news item headline: **John Paul** Elected Pope; George Ringo Miffed. About that same time, Bill Murray is reading items on SNL Weekend Update when he stops to complain about how sloppy the presentation is getting: Look! “John Paul [II] Elected Pope” - We did this last month! ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-popes/948049/64 "2021-08-18T16:12:56Z")
The Borgias. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-popes/948049/65 "2021-08-18T16:17:35Z")
[Historical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Alexander_VI). (sorry if you meant it ironically and doubted the finer aspects of the historical authenticity of the series) ---
**Author:** ![its\_the\_daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bb73d2/32.png) [@its\_the\_daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/its_the_daddy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-popes/948049/66 "2021-08-18T16:25:07Z")
How did we get to 64 posts without John Cleese? [Why Michelangelo Didn’t Paint the Last Supper ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9Aj7W3g1qo) I’m the bloody Pope! I may not know much about art, but I know what I like! ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-popes/948049/67 "2021-08-18T17:25:40Z")
Post #22 > [@Banksiaman](#): > > We also have the Monty Python Michelangelo sketch with John Cleese as the Pope. Straight Dope axiom: as soon as you type the words “How did we get to post…” you’re in trouble! ---
**Author:** ![its\_the\_daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bb73d2/32.png) [@its\_the\_daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/its_the_daddy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-popes/948049/68 "2021-08-18T17:58:39Z")
Sorry: you’re quite right. I did scan through the thread, but missed that one. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2021, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-popes/948049/69 "2021-08-18T18:04:46Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Played by – Shirley the python. Well, I guess you _can_ call her “Shirley.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-popes/948049.md?page=3)