1417-02-23

POPE PAUL II, born (d: 1471); Exceptionally vain (even for a pope) –  Paul wanted to take the name “Formosus I,” i.e. “the Well-Shaped, ” upon his erection, er, I mean election. Any name chosen would have been better than the one given him sarcastically by his successor, Pius II – “Maria Pietissima,” – Our Lady of Pity. Personally I’m getting Rodney Dangerfield vibes.) All of this is delicious rumor, of course, as is the story of his death of a heart attack while playing bottom to his favorite top. Popes have a lot of enemies, you know. Most of them well-earned.