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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2016/feb/02/pope-francis-gossip-bomb-new-phrase-finger-on-pulse

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Gossip bombing: Pope Francis proves he has his finger on the pulse Gossip bombing: Pope Francis proves he has his finger on the pulse
(7 months later)
Name: Gossip bomb.Name: Gossip bomb.
Age: Nuovo.Age: Nuovo.
Appearance: Naughty.Appearance: Naughty.
Go on then, tell me which hip young groovebag has come up with this new phrase. PewDiePie? Zoella? Pope Francis.Go on then, tell me which hip young groovebag has come up with this new phrase. PewDiePie? Zoella? Pope Francis.
Eh? Was he at least pronouncing a sick burn on Instagram or something? He was giving an improvised speech on clerical discipline to thousands of priests in the Vatican.Eh? Was he at least pronouncing a sick burn on Instagram or something? He was giving an improvised speech on clerical discipline to thousands of priests in the Vatican.
Related: Pope Francis: don't 'drop a gossip bomb', he warns priests and nuns
Yeah, that’s not quite the same. So what is a “gossip bomb”? Hard to say exactly. The Holy Father was explaining how Jesus wants priests to do what the church authorities tell them, without being all awkward and questiony. As their numbers fall dramatically, they must also stick together, he said, and not divide communities by spreading gossip.Yeah, that’s not quite the same. So what is a “gossip bomb”? Hard to say exactly. The Holy Father was explaining how Jesus wants priests to do what the church authorities tell them, without being all awkward and questiony. As their numbers fall dramatically, they must also stick together, he said, and not divide communities by spreading gossip.
Yeah, because if the Catholic church has learned anything in the past few years, it is that priests must keep quiet when they hear about anything dodgy. Quite. Anyway, the pope then illustrated his point by saying that gossips are like terrorists setting off bombs in their communities. “If you get an urge to say something against a brother or a sister, to drop a gossip bomb, bite your tongue,” he said. “Hard!”Yeah, because if the Catholic church has learned anything in the past few years, it is that priests must keep quiet when they hear about anything dodgy. Quite. Anyway, the pope then illustrated his point by saying that gossips are like terrorists setting off bombs in their communities. “If you get an urge to say something against a brother or a sister, to drop a gossip bomb, bite your tongue,” he said. “Hard!”
Ow! Not you. You’re not a consecrated priest or nun in the Catholic church. You can gossip about whoever you like, as long as we can get it past the lawyers.Ow! Not you. You’re not a consecrated priest or nun in the Catholic church. You can gossip about whoever you like, as long as we can get it past the lawyers.
Thanks. Do you think maybe the pope was thinking of photobombs, the F-bomb and suchlike? It’s possible. These are just the kind of 21st-century phrases you would expect from a groovy, modern, 79-year-old celibate religious conservative. After all, he has released a rock album, he is going to be in a film, he gets tons of retweets …Thanks. Do you think maybe the pope was thinking of photobombs, the F-bomb and suchlike? It’s possible. These are just the kind of 21st-century phrases you would expect from a groovy, modern, 79-year-old celibate religious conservative. After all, he has released a rock album, he is going to be in a film, he gets tons of retweets …
Sorry, did you say the pope is going to be in a film? That’s right.Sorry, did you say the pope is going to be in a film? That’s right.
What kind of film? It’s called Beyond the Sun, and it is “a family adventure based on the Gospels”.What kind of film? It’s called Beyond the Sun, and it is “a family adventure based on the Gospels”.
Taking an ambivalent, critically engaged look at the Gospels? Probably more of a completely-believing-them one. It is being co-financed by the rum heiress Monika Bacardi. The pope plays himself.Taking an ambivalent, critically engaged look at the Gospels? Probably more of a completely-believing-them one. It is being co-financed by the rum heiress Monika Bacardi. The pope plays himself.
So maybe his whole career to date, maybe even this speech, was method acting? Maybe.So maybe his whole career to date, maybe even this speech, was method acting? Maybe.
Do say: “And don’t drop the contraception bomb either.”Do say: “And don’t drop the contraception bomb either.”
Don’t say: The Galileo bomb is now tolerated.Don’t say: The Galileo bomb is now tolerated.