Scalia Forms Search Committee for New Pope

Pope Francis puts flowers on the altar inside St. Mary Major Basilica, 03/14/13. (photo: L'Osservatore Romano/AP)

By Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker

20 September 13

The article below is satire. Andy Borowitz is an American comedian and New York Times-bestselling author who satirizes the news for his column, "The Borowitz Report."

aying he was "sorry it had to come to this," Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said today that he was forming an "independent search committee" to select a new Pope.

The visibly upset jurist appeared at a press conference with the sole other member of the newly formed search committee, Justice Clarence Thomas.

Justice Scalia said he had "no other alternative" but to pick a new Pope himself after reading what he called a "disturbing" interview with Pope Francis today: "The Pope said he doesn't want to speak out against abortion and gay marriage. Well, sorry, my friend, but that's the entire job description. You should have thought of that before you let them blow that white smoke in Rome."

Justice Scalia acknowledged that only the College of Cardinals has the legal authority to choose a Pope, but added, "Quite frankly, those jokers got us into this mess. Right, Clarence?"

Justice Thomas had no comment.