On June 29, a Bombardier jet coming from Belize landed at Guidonia Air Force Base briefly, before resuming its flight to Paris. During the brief interval, a man with a heavily bandaged face was taken off the plane in a wheelchair, into a van carrying him to the Agostino Gemelli Clinic. He was admitted there under the name of David Silverman, an Israeli whose occupation was listed as actor, suffering from a stroke. Three days after being admitted, the hospital records show that said David Silverman died of a second stroke. No relatives could be found to claim the body, so according to Jewish law, it was cremated two days after his death.
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‘After a fight for his life, the Pope was taken out of his coma, and underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. The doctors classified his recovery as ‘miraculous’, under the circumstances. They have prescribed an undetermined period of rest for the pontiff: it appears that the stress of the operation on his brain has caused the pontiff to suffer from disorientation and cognitive difficulties. Cardinal Fouquet announced today that the ecumenical council, summoned by Pope Clement the 21st shortly before his stroke, has been postponed indefinitely. As Camerlengo, Cardinal Fouquet has taken over the pontiff’s duties until His Holiness is able to return to office.’
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‘Cardinal Estevan Gonzales, recently nominated head of the Congregation for the Promulgation of the Faith, has resigned yesterday for health reasons. His predecessor Cardinal Eugenio Brentano has temporarily taken over his previous functions, while awaiting a decision from the Pope.
At a recent auction for certain items belonging to the estate of the late Hugues de Ségur, a book entitled ‘My Diary,’ written by Hans-Georg Weber, ex-Nazi SS officer stationed in Naples during WWII, fetched 75,000 Euros, thereby setting a new record for a war officer’s diary. Sotheby’s representative indicated that the buyer wished to remain anonymous.
‘During the annual General Assembly meeting of Interpol held today at Interpol’s headquarters, General Secretary Richard Harris’s four year mandate was not renewed. Instead, Jean Martignet, a twenty year veteran of the French Sureté, was elected in his place. Among staff members interviewed about the nomination, there was a general feeling of acceptance, as Martignet has promised to modernize the organization and lead it into the 21st century. One of his first projects will be to incorporate anew the function of Director of Crimes against Persons, previously abolished by his predecessor. According to well-informed sources, recently reinstated Interpol agent Thierry Dulac is the front-runner candidate for the post.’
‘Dean Joanna Tooms of the Anthropology and Mythology Faculty is pleased to announce the return of Doctor Karen Dawson to the faculty. After spending four years teaching at La Sorbonne, Professor Dawson has accepted a post teaching at the pre-doctoral level, in replacement of Professor Li Yung Sun who has returned to Seoul.’