Earlier today we started to explain to Cookie the significance of his namesake the pope. Most of it he won't understand until he's older but he's about to turn five and we can't shelter him from the world anymore -- at least we can introduce him to the idea/reality of greatness (which may later prove a counterbalance to the moral mediocrity of the "role models" that modern culture will subsequently serve up to him).

Such was our lunchtime conversation.

A few minutes ago Cookie wanted to use the TV for his computer game and I told him I wanted to watch the news for a few more minutes. The pope had died today, I explained, and now all the priests were gathering to pray and decide who would be the next pope.

"Will the next pope be named John Paul?" he asked.

"The next pope will probably have a different name," I said -- and that attracted Mojo's attention.

"Pope Joseph?" he asked excitedly, clearly thinking he had a chance at getting the job.

Good try, Mojo. But the world just ain't ready for that.