5:55 20:19
20:30
Today one recites the Supplica to Our Lady of Pompeii
It is the 1st Anniversary of the election of Leo XIV.
Two 7th century Popes have their Feast today, Boniface IV (+615) and Benedict II (+685)
A couple of amusing things and something not so amusing.
I have to scratch my head at this and look around to see if Malachi Martin is standing behind me. See anything strange?
You all know that in January we celebrate the Feast of the Ass. Today, apparently, is World Donkey Day. Really. So many celebrations at once!
Oh yes… a friend sent this screenshot. It seems someone thinks that Mary is “Mediatrix”.
Well, maybe news hasn’t reached them yet. Donkeys are kinda slow.
Today on my way to church I ran into the lady with the cockatoo. When I had my place across from the English College and above the infamous Bar Peru, each day I could hear when they came by for a constitutional. Today, we met in front of S.M. Monserrato.
She was not gesturing because she didn’t want photos. She was quite engaged and friendly.
So, there. Now you have the bird.
Black to move. What to do?
NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.
Yes, lots of prayers to our President. How fitting.
There seems to be 2 people in the photo wearing white zucchetti.
1. . . . . . . . R×h4+
If:
2. g3×h4 . . Q-g2#
So:
2. K-g1 . . . Q-h3
White can stall by ineffectually playing
Q-f7+ or Q-f8+
White can stop Q-h1# by g3×h4
Or can stop Q-g2# by R×f3
But “either” is not the same as “both.”
RxP (check) [If pawn captures, then the white queen falls to QxQ with check; if the king withdraws to the back rank, the rook sacrifices itself with check in the corner, and after the king captures it, which is forced, the queen checks the king on h3, then mates it on the next move, g2.]
Thank you Fr. Z for starting my day with truth and levity.
CasaSanBruno,
Indeed – and by the Holy Father himself in such an emphatic font calling Mr. Trump “Our President” on such an occasion – Supreme Pontifection! (But what does La Sua Eminenza have to do with it – and is he responsible for the mysterious effective monotonizing of the zucchetti?)
President Pope. Well, as the hierarchy becomes more secular, it could become a thing.
@VP: Good catch! But what does it mean? Hmmm . . .
While in Suriname, South America, I would occasionally see people walking down the side walk with birds in cages. Just like most people walk their dogs, they seem to walk their birds! It was an odd thing to see.
Three items:
When did His Holiness become President ?
The black and white picture make it seem like two people are wearing white zucchetti’s – but if you look closely, it is a slightly different shade.
Who is the woman on the right ? At first glance I thought it was the Archbisop(ness)? of Canterbury (but clearly not).
Black to move. What to do?
Seems like Rxh4+ leads to mate in 4 or less.
1) … Rxh4+
2) Kg1 (or gxh4) Rh1+
3) Kxh1 (forced) Qh3+
4) Kg1 (forced) Qg2# mate
If
2.gxh4 Qg2# mate
But the way the problem is posed makes me wonder if I’m missing something.