As Cardinal Ratzinger, Benedict was Pope John Paul II's number two for many years, but his resignation brings this amazing double act to an end.
The last person elected as pope who was not already an ordained priest or monk was Pope Leo X in 1513, who was also the youngest pope ever elected.
The four judges' arrival at the auditions in Los Angeles and other cities was trumpeted as if they were popes.
That he would emerge as the main Republican negotiator on a bill to expand background checks seems about as likely as Schumer being elected pope.
He was quoted as being sharply critical when the pope met the Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat.
You can also read Pope Francis as being very sympathetic to that programme.
But as pope he has been criticized by Jewish groups as being insensitive at times.
Though he was the German king, he had not been crowned emperor by the pope, as was customary.
It's almost as insane as Olivia Pope being kidnapped and put up for auction.
The Pope is leading as no Pope has ever done.
