This week’s cover by Barry Blitt, “Sic Transit Gloria Mundi,” is not the first time that a Pope has been portrayed on our cover. “I wish I could say something in Latin to make the image sound smart,” said Blitt, when asked what inspired him. Click-through for other New Yorker covers that have illustrated priests and Popes, and Blitt’s previous take on the Papal vestment as well as his other thoughts on how Pope Benedict XVI might occupy his time after retirement: http://nyr.kr/WEOJXx

Both because of his personality and the potential for a historic milestone, some journalists have taken to calling this papal election an “Obama moment” for the Church. This metaphor is apt only insofar as both will disappoint liberals hoping for significant change.

Naunihal Singh considers Cardinal Turkson of Ghana, who is favored to be the Church’s future: http://nyr.kr/ZGABhf

Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/Getty.

(Source: newyorker.com)

With his resignation, Benedict XVI has decided not to be like John Paul II, who turned his last days as Pope into something of a parable about carrying on despite suffering. Then again, is that the better, or more honest path?

Amy Davidson on Pope Benedict’s resignation: http://nyr.kr/Y4FBoH

Photograph: AP.