The (ahem) courier

You've probably read that a handsome prelate -- the Rev. Monsignor Gaenswein, a favorite of Pope Benedict -- will spend his days with the new popey guy while spending his nights with the old popey guy.

The retired pontiff is hanging on to his hunky private secretary, the Rev. Monsignor Gaenswein — and even moving him into his retirement quarters in the Vatican.

But Benedict has also given Gaenswein another gig as head of the new Pope’s household. And that means his closest confidante will be keeping tabs on his successor.

It remains to be seen how well Gaenswein serves two masters, but Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said he sees no conflict of interest.

Lombardi is one of the least perceptive men at the Vatican. So let's see...the outgoing popey guy said he'd pipe down and let the new pope run things. Uh-huh. I'm sure the old popey guy would never send a message to the new popey guy via this handy courier.

Because that's what Gaenswein will be: a courier, transmitting messages from the old authoritarian pope to the new authoritarian pope. Change in leadership, my ass.