Pope Francis is now with God. Actually, most of his life has been spent with God in one fashion or another. It would be difficult to find one person more God like.

He died. At the age of 88. A common man who placed the common people of the world first. I believe it was President Biden who described him as The People’s Pope.

Francis a commoner himself. As a young Argentinian worked as a bouncer in a night club. In due course, became a Jesuit priest. In later years, the first Jesuit to become Pope. Also the first individual from the Americas to become Pope.

He might be described as one who was a strange Pope. He rejected/refused the pomposity and regalia that went with the position. Refused to live in the Pope’s Chambers. Instead opted for a small bed in a room in another building. Refused also to to replete himself in the robes and finery the Papacy called for. Instead, wore white robes and black shoes.

In death, he could lie in St. Peter’s. This too he has rejected. He has directed he be buried in the ground of a nearby Church. Not in the special coffin of Popes. Rather in a simple wooden coffin. No special name or print on his tombstone. Merely “Franciscus.”

His Papal life relegated by the name Frances which he took when he became Pope. He named himself after St. Frances, the Saint of the Poor who lived a relatively poor life.

In about two weeks, Cardinals will begin the voting process to select a new Pope. Recognize for years, Popes were of European extraction. They controlled the Catholic Church. Frances I suspect may have made such a process impossible in the election of his successor. Frances went out of his way to nominate Cardinals from Africa, Asia and small places that never had one in previous years.

Africa has become a garden spot for the Catholic Church in recent years. A blooming area for Catholicism. Two or three black Cardinals were made by Francis. The next Pope could be an African.

Trump announced he and Melania will attend the Pope’s funeral service in St. Peter’s saturday. A disgrace, a shame. Not only because he lacks the moral qualities to sit at such an event, but because he was decidedly anti-Francis during his first term. Trump appointed Newt Gingrich’s wife Callista as U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican. She so served from 2017-2021. This gave Gingrich, who was was radical right, a position of influence and power in the Vatican. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops were rightist and many MAGA thinking in their midst. The organization and Gingrich gave Francis a very hard time. Their game plan to overthrow Francis.

Trump should be given a seat in the last row of St. Peter’s.

Word is Elon Musk may soon cut dramatically back on the number of hours he is helping Trump. Musk’s businesses are suffering. Tesla’s first quarter earnings were down 71 percent for the first quarter of this year.

Musk has been screwing the American public. The American public are not fools. They are getting back at hm.

Our government is sticking its nose again where it does not belong. The government is considering paying the public not to use Google Search.

We are all aware how measles has gotten out of hand. Now joined by whooping cough.

The reason for the increase in both is the failure of parents to make sure their children have been vaccinated against the diseases. A thank you to RFK Jr. and others. Two diseases almost totally eradicated in the U.S. have returned and are on the rise.

An example of Trump’s “brilliance.” On this day in 2020, then President Trump suggested studying if COVID-19 could be treated by introducing disinfectant or UV lights into a human body.

Some baseball highlights.

The New York Yankees were first known as the New York Highlanders. The Highlanders won their first game this day in 1903 by beating the Washington Senators 7-2.

Baseball great Ted Williams hit his first home run for Boston this day in 1939. He was an expert fisherman also. He owned for many years a home on Islamorada.

Hank Aaron hit his first home run this day in 1954. The first of 755.

William Shakespeare was born this day in 1564.

A big day in Florida Keys history. On this day in 1982, the Florida Keys seceded from the Union. Quickly capitulated and surrendered. However has continued as the Conch Republic through the years.

I close with a wine disaster. An expensive one.

On this day in 1989, wine merchant William Sokolin broke a bottle of 1787 Chateau Margauy, possibly having belonged to Thomas Jefferson, worth $500,000, at the Four Seasons Restaurant in New York City.

Enjoy your day!