There were two Catholic boys, Timothy Murphy and Antonio Secola, whose lives paralleled each other's in amazing ways. In the same year,Timothy was born in Ireland and Antonio was born in Italy. Faithfully, they each attended parochial school from kindergarten through senior year in high school.

They took their vows to enter the priesthood early in college and upon their graduation, became priests. Their rise through the ranks of Bishop, Archbishop and finally Cardinal was meteoric and the Catholic world knew that when the present Pope died, it would be either Timothy or Antonio who would become the next Pope. But it was generally acknowledged that Antonio Secola was just a cut above Timothy Murphy in all respects.

In time, the Pope did die and the College of Cardinals went to work.

In less time than anyone expected, white smoke rose from the chimney and the world waited to find out who they had chosen.

Everyone...Catholic, Protestant and secular, was surprised to learn that Timothy Murphy had been elected Pope.

Antonio was beyond surprise, he was devastated because, even with all Timothy's giftedness, Antonio knew he was the better qualified. With gall that shocked the Cardinals, Antonio asked for a private session with them in which he candidly asked, "Why Timothy?"

After a long silence, one old Cardinal took pity on the bewildered Antonio and rose to reply, "We knew you were the slightly better of the two but we just could not bear the thought of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church being called....

POPE SECOLA