Religion Jokes

Papal Rituals

Every time a new Pope is elected, there's a whole lot of
rituals and ceremonies that have to be gone through, in
accordance with tradition.

Well there's one tradition that very few people know about.
Shortly after the new Pope is enthroned, the Chief Rabbi
seeks an audience. He is shown into the Pope's presence,
whereupon he presents him with a silver tray bearing a velvet
cushion. On top of the cushion is an ancient, shriveled
parchment envelope. The Pope symbolically stretches out his
arm in a gesture of
rejection. The Chief Rabbi then retires, taking the
envelope with him and does not return until the next Pope is
elected.

John Paul II was intrigued by this ritual, whose origins
were unknown to him. He instructed the best scholars of the
Vatican to research it, but they came up with nothing. When
the time came and the Chief Rabbi was shown into his
presence, he faithfully enacted the ritual rejection but, as
the Chief Rabbi turned to leave, he called him back.

"My brother," the Holy Father whispered, "I must confess
that we Catholics are ignorant of the meaning of this ritual
enacted for centuries between us and you, the representative
of the Jewish people. I have to ask you, what is it all
about?"

The Chief Rabbi shrugs and replies: "But we have no more
idea than you do. The origin of the ceremony is lost in the
mists of ancient history."

The Pope said: "Let us retire to my private chambers and
enjoy a glass of wine together, then, with your agreement, we
shall open the envelope and discover at last the secret."
The Chief Rabbi agreed.

Fortified in their resolve by the wine, they gingerly pried
open the parchment envelope and with trembling fingers, the
Chief Rabbi reached inside and extracted a folded sheet of
similarly
ancient paper. As the Pope peered over his shoulder, he
slowly opened it. They both gasped with shock.

It was the check for the Last Supper.