No Wonder He Was So Hunched Over

Holy Cow!

Now we know why Pope John Paul II was so hunched over!

Book: John Paul II used belt to whip himself

Pope John Paul II whipped himself with a belt, even on vacation, and slept on the floor as acts of penitence and to bring him closer to Christian perfection, according to a new book by the Polish prelate spearheading his sainthood case.

[snip]

At a news conference Tuesday, Oder defended John Paul's practice of self-mortification, which some faithful use to remind them of the suffering of Jesus on the cross.

"It's an instrument of Christian perfection," Oder said, responding to questions about how such a practice could be condoned considering Catholic teaching holds that the human body is a gift from God.

In the book, Oder wrote that John Paul frequently denied himself food — especially during the holy season of Lent — and "frequently spent the night on the bare floor," messing up his bed in the morning so he wouldn't draw attention to his act of penitence

Bonus Pope Riffs

Vatican Discounts "Bonfire Pope"; Says Flames "Not Hunched Over Enough" ... Late Pontiff's Bend Was Measured "Religiously"; Never Used Contingency "Roller Skate Gloves"

Top Ten Cloves: Things The Vatican Has Done To Make Good Friday Even Better

Top Ten Cloves: Possible Problems With Suing God

Breaking News! Pontiff In Major Spread, Popemobile Giveaway ... Oprah Lands Pope Benedict XVI For Huge Tell-All Over Muslam Flap ...Either Apology or Conversion To Islam Promised In Teasers; Pontiff Turned Down By CBS News Free Speech

Know Thy Pope