VATICAN CITY - The Vatican issued a press release yesterday listing Pope Benedict XVI as “doubtful” for today's Ash Wednesday services. Ash Wednesday is the traditional start of the Lenten Season for millions of Roman Catholics around the world. According to front office sources, the Pope sustained a high ankle sprain while distributing communion during Mass last Sunday. Witnesses in the communion line said it appeared the Pope was in severe pain, and had to be helped from the altar by several concelebrants and Church trainers. He was transported through the sacristy on a cart. An MRI performed shortly afterward revealed the nature of the injury. The Holy Father was seen by reporters walking around Vatican offices the past several days wearing a boot-cast. He waved off members of the media who pressed towards him looking for a comment.
The Pope’s status for the upcoming Lenten season would appear to be in jeopardy. A high-ankle sprain can take between eight and ten weeks to heal. An anonymous source within the Holy See said “we’re hopeful he’s going to be back by Pentecost, but it’s more likely he’s going to be out until the Ascension.”
If Benedict XVI is unable to go next Wednesday, the task of leading the faithful would fall to the second-string, or back-up Pope. A back-up Pope hasn’t been called upon since the 1303-1304 Lenten season, when the league had a branch office in Avignon, France.
