A German by the name of Ralph Napierski attempted to walk into secret talks to discuss the succession of resigned Pope Benedict XVI on Monday at the Vatican. Napierski was wearing a makeshift bishop’s cloak, had his own entourage of fake clerics, and to make the whole thing seem authentic, posed for photos with real bishops – pretty ballsy.

He managed to make it past the first level of security until being stopped outside in front of the Sistine Chapel. Napierski said he was part of a non-existent Catholic institution called Corpus Dei. He told onlookers his name was Basilius and that he was a bishop in the Italian Orthodox Church – which doesn’t exist.

Looking back, Napierski’s attire should have given his game away. He was wearing a cassock, which was too short, a black fedora in place of the regulation clergy skull cap and a purple sash – which was a simple winter scarf.

Robert Mickens, correspond for a UK based Catholic newspaper – The Tablet, said:

The church is very hierarchical, and so it can be quite awkward for security personnel to stop a senior cleric and ask to see his badge.

Vatican spokesperson, Father Federico Lombardi declined to comment on the incident but stated that everyone seated in the congregation are real cardinals.

[Source: USA Today]