A real surprise, a curious case, and an offer the pope refused 06/11/2021 at 9:09 PM Posted by Kevin Edward White By Ed Condon, The Pillar, June 11, 2021 Happy Friday friends, It’s been a bit of a week, so buckle up buttercups, because there’s a lot to get through. Hot off the wires While there is a lot to unpack about what the move means for the Kremlinology of the Vatican, and Francis’ plans for the future, for now, let’s just say that the 69 year-old bishop’s nomination is what you might call a “shock,” and one of a few surprise moves by the pope in recent days.