What a difference 500 years makes

 There is about a 500 year spread between these two Leo's.  

This portrait of Leo X is in the Barberini.  It follows very closely one done by Raphael, which currently hangs in the Uffizi.  It is by Giuliano Bugiardini and feature the Pope framed by Cardinals Giulio de'Medici and Innocenzo Cybo.  Leo was Pope from 1513-1521.  He was the son of Lorenzo de'Medici and was known for his patronage of the arts, his building schemes, and his use of indulgences to fill his ever-empty coffers.  He loved good food and parties, it seems.  He was a spendthrift and somehow didn't end up in Dante's 4th circle of Hell with the spendthrifts and misers. 

Here, as we all know, is Pope Leo XIV:

He is the first American Pope.  Known for his Chicago sass and all around fabulousness.  Committed to spreading messages of love and kindness, he is proving to be rather impressive.  At first I was concerned about having an American Pope.  But now I realize he is the perfect man for the perfect time.  Because he is American, there is no cultural distance or confusion when having to contend with our present government.  He understands exactly what kind of vile swine he is dealing with.  He knows the idiosyncratic and immoral behavior of the American wealthy class and all the stooges and sycophants who follow in their wake, hoping to be tossed some crumbs from the table of privilege. 

And speaking of the profane and grotesque, the Bernini exhibit included many of his sketches of fabulous mythological creatures.    Bernini is generally known for his religious and mythological subject matter, but I must say, I love his creepy creatures as well: