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Updated Mar 1, 2013 - 2:28 am

Satirical Vatican lawsuit post goes viral

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By KTAR.com
Originally published: Feb 28, 2013 - 5:00 pm

A satirical article written about a fake Oakland rapper supposedly suing the vatican has gone viral.

According to The New Yorker's Borowitz Report, a nonexistent Oakland rapper, who records under the name Pope Emertius, is supposedly considering a lawsuit for copyright infringement should the Vatican not cooperate.

Furious at what he is calling a clear case of trademark infringement, Mr. Emeritus said that he has no intention of stepping aside for the former pontiff: "He's the one who should step aside. Call himself P. Biddy or something. This is wack, yo."

Numerous websites picked up the rumor (yes, KTAR included) and ran the story. Hopefully it brought a smile to your face, just as it did ours when we realized it was false.

A helicopter with Pope Benedict XVI onboard leaves the Vatican in Rome, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. The 85-year-old German Pope Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

Nuns wave to a helicopter with Pope Benedict XVI onboard in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. The 85-year-old German Pope Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Nuns watch a giant screen showing a helicopter with Pope Benedict XVI onboard in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. The 85-year-old German Pope Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Pope Benedict XVI greets faithful from his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, the scenic town where Pope Benedict XVI will spend his first post-Vatican days and made his last public blessing as pope,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Faithful watch a giant screen showing Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. The 85-year-old German Pope Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Pope Benedict XVI greets faithful from his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, the scenic town where he will spend his first post-Vatican days and made his last public blessing as pope,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Bavarian state governor Horst Seehofer and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, bottom from left, attend a thanksgiving service for outgoing pope Benedict XVI. at the St. Hedwig cathedral in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. At 8 p.m. sharp, Benedict will become the first pontiff in 600 years to resign. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)

Faithful watch a giant screen showing Pope Benedict XVI boarding a helicopter in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. The 85-year-old German Pope Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Pope Benedict XVI leaves after greetings faithful from the balcony window of the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, the scenic town where he will spend his first post-Vatican days and made his last public blessing as pope,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

In this photo taken with a fisheye lens, faithfuls gather during a thanksgiving service for outgoing pope Benedict XVI. at the St. Hedwig cathedral in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. At 8 p.m. sharp, Benedict will become the first pontiff in 600 years to resign. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)

Faithful carry a banner in German reading "Thank You" as they watch a giant screen showing Pope Benedict XVI, at the Vatican,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. The 85-year-old German Pope Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Bavarian state governor Horst Seehofer, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of the German Federal Parliament, Bundestag, Norbert Lammert, bottom from left, attend a thanksgiving service for outgoing pope Benedict XVI. at the St. Hedwig cathedral in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. At 8 p.m. sharp, Benedict will become the first pontiff in 600 years to resign. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)

Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, head of the German Bishops' Conference, celebrates a thanksgiving service for outgoing pope Benedict XVI. at the St. Hedwig cathedral in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. At 8 p.m. sharp, Benedict will become the first pontiff in 600 years to resign. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)

Pope Benedict XVI blesses the crowd from the window of the Pope's summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, the scenic town where he will spend his first post-Vatican days and make his last public blessing as pope,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Benedict XVI walks away after addressing the crowd from the window of the Pope's summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, the scenic town where he will spend his first post-Vatican days and make his last public blessing as pope,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd from the window of the Pope's summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, the scenic town where he will spend his first post-Vatican days and make his last public blessing as pope,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Vatican employees take down Pope Benedict XVI's crest turns after he greeted the crowd from the window of the his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, the scenic town where he will spend his first post-Vatican days and make his last public blessing as pope,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Pope Benedict XVI turns away after greeting the crowd from the window of the Pope's summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, the scenic town where he will spend his first post-Vatican days and make his last public blessing as pope,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Pope Benedict XVI waves from the balcony window of the Pontifical summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, some 35 kilometers south of Rome, to a cheering crowd gathered to see him the day he ends his pontificate, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Faithful sing as they wait Pope Benedict's XVI departure in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. The 85-year-old German Pope Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Faithful sing as they wait for Pope Benedict's XVI departure in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. The 85-year-old German Pope Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Faithful pray in Castel Gandolfo's San Tommaso da Villanova church after Pope Benedict XVI blessed the crowd from the window of the Pope's summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, the scenic town where he will spend his first post-Vatican days and make his last public blessing as pope,Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, head of the German Bishops' Conference, right, holds his sermon during a thanksgiving service for outgoing pope Benedict XVI. at the St. Hedwig cathedral in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. At 8 p.m. sharp, Benedict will become the first pontiff in 600 years to resign. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)

Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithful during his final general audience in St.Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI has recalled moments of "joy and light" during his papacy but also times of great difficulty in an emotional, final general audience in St. Peter's Square before retiring. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Faithful gather for Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Benedict XVI basked in an emotional sendoff Wednesday at his final general audience in St. Peter's Square, recalling moments of "joy and light" during his papacy but also times of great difficulty. He also thanked his flock for respecting his decision to retire. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Nuns gather during Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Benedict XVI basked in an emotional sendoff Wednesday at his final general audience in St. Peter's Square, recalling moments of "joy and light" during his papacy but also times of great difficulty. He also thanked his flock for respecting his decision to retire. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Prelates gather during Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Benedict XVI basked in an emotional sendoff Wednesday at his final general audience in St. Peter's Square, recalling moments of "joy and light" during his papacy but also times of great difficulty. He also thanked his flock for respecting his decision to retire. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Faithful gather during Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Benedict XVI basked in an emotional sendoff Wednesday at his final general audience in St. Peter's Square, recalling moments of "joy and light" during his papacy but also times of great difficulty. He also thanked his flock for respecting his decision to retire. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, of the Philippines, center, sits amongst other cardinals as they attend Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Benedict XVI basked in an emotional sendoff Wednesday at his final general audience in St. Peter's Square, recalling moments of "joy and light" during his papacy but also times of great difficulty. He also thanked his flock for respecting his decision to retire. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Pope Benedict XVI waves from his pope-mobile as he is driven through the crowd during his last general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Benedict XVI has recalled moments of "joy and light" during his papacy but also times of great difficulty in an emotional, final general audience in St. Peter's Square before retiring. Benedict thanked his cardinals, colleagues and ordinary faithful for their support and for respecting his decision to become the first pope in 600 years to resign. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Faithful are reflected in the roof of Pope Benedict XVI's pope-mobile as he arrives to celebrate his last general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Benedict XVI basked in an emotional sendoff Wednesday at his final general audience in St. Peter's Square, recalling moments of "joy and light" during his papacy but also times of great difficulty. He also thanked his flock for respecting his decision to retire. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

St. Peter's Square is reflected in the trombone of a German band prior Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Benedict XVI basked in an emotional sendoff Wednesday at his final general audience in St. Peter's Square, recalling moments of "joy and light" during his papacy but also times of great difficulty. He also thanked his flock for respecting his decision to retire. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Pope Benedict XVI greets pilgrims at the end of his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI basked in an emotional sendoff Wednesday at his final general audience in St. Peter's Square, recalling moments of "joy and light" during his papacy but also times of great difficulty. He also thanked his flock for respecting his decision to retire. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, of the Democratic Republic of Congo, left, and Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, of Ghana, arrive to attend Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Benedict XVI basked in an emotional sendoff Wednesday at his final general audience in St. Peter's Square, recalling moments of "joy and light" during his papacy but also times of great difficulty. He also thanked his flock for respecting his decision to retire. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Cardinal Thomas Christopher Collins, left, and Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako, arrive to attend Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Benedict XVI is preparing for his final general audience, the weekly appointment he kept with the faithful and tourists to teach them about the Catholic faith.(AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

KTAR.com,

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yrreta wrote...

Yo, sheet for brains, you be a little late

February 28, 2013 4:16 pm

Pope Gregory XII, the last pope to retire some 600 years ago was called pope emeritus. "Upon his resignation, the pope will be titled "pope emeritus" and will retain the honorific styling "His Holiness."" The Vatican ain't let nobody mess with their brand. I hope the Vatican doesn't just roll over for this moron.

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candlesflame wrote...

ancient LATINE WORD not Rapper Name...

February 28, 2013 4:16 pm

does not get it that EMERITUS is LATIN an ANCIENT LANGUAGE that means TO LET GO TO RETIRE TO GO TO PASTURE...TO Serve out Ones Term a retired veteran...YO RAPPER DUDE...its all about you isn't it....the word Emeritus is over thousands of years old..go sue Caesar Maybe your CD will sell more tunes if you sue Rome HA HA HA HA....

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Saguaro wrote...

It's a joke people

February 28, 2013 4:23 pm

First of all, why is this under "Arizona News"? Second of all, I'm pretty sure this is a joke, it's from the Borowitz Report at the New Yorker, look at the other stuff written by this guy. It's the New Yorker's version of The Onion. I do think it's funny though.

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yrreta wrote...

Oh great, KTAR is no smarter than the

February 28, 2013 4:55 pm

North Korean news agency that was fooled by The Onion.

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metalrob72 wrote...

FAKE!!!

February 28, 2013 11:12 pm

C'mon people. This is a joke. A simple Google search will confirm that. And, as someone else said, it's from the Borowitz Report, the New Yorker's version of The Onion.

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Updated Mar 1, 2013 - 2:28 am

Satirical Vatican lawsuit post goes viral

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