CAPTION THIS: When Benedict Met Beer

"You know, guys, I really could have used that drink before I resigned. But anyway, danke."

(Full story here and here. Picture c/o: News.va English)

The Pope Emeritus' birthday was back on April 16, but we just couldn't resist the opportunity to have some fun with this picture. Thanks to all who participated in our last caption contest. And now to announce...

CAPTION THIS: When Rome Met Alexandria

Coptic Bishop: "Papa! Papa! Look what we drew!"
Francis: "Oh, how lovely! This is going right on the fridge." *slips into drawer*
(Full story here, here, here and here. Picture c/o: Vatican Radio English)

It's our first caption contest of the year! Joy! Mega-thanks to everyone who participated in our last caption contest. Without further ado, the winner is...

CAPTION THIS: When Peter Met Andrew

"It's okay, Frank. I won't let anyone know you drank all of the communion wine. We'll just blame Kirill."
(Full story here. Picture c/o: Catholic News Service)

We're back! It's only been... two months, really? Well, fine. Thank you to everyone who participated in our last caption contest. The winner (finally) is...

CAPTION THIS: When Bishops Met Bank

Bishop #1: "So, when is Francis supposed to pass by again?"
Bishop #2: "Dude, for the last time. I don't know. I'm just here to use the ATM, and you're blocking it."
(Full story here. Picture c/o: Vatican Radio English)

It's officially autumn here in the States, and what better way to celebrate than with a brand-new caption contest?! ("How about going pumpkin-picking?") I didn't ask you, disembodied voice.

Anyhoodles, the winner of our last caption contest is...

CAPTION THIS: When Francis Met Food

"Psst! Should I tell the Holy Father not to place his elbows on the table?"
"Giorgio, the man is the shepherd of over 1.2 billion souls. I think we can cut him some slack."
(Full story here. Picture c/o: AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano)

Happy August, everyone! We're officially entering the dog days of summer (for those of you reading this in the Northern Hemisphere which, let's be honest, is almost all of you), and what better way to pass the time than to enter yet another caption contest?! I mean, besides barbecuing and going to the beach. Whatever. The cool kids always leave me out of these things...

Where were we? Oh, yes. The winner of our last caption contest is...

CAPTION THIS: When Priest Met Punk

"My son, I know they say, 'The higher the hair, the closer to God,' but have you considered joining one of the minor orders instead?" (Picture c/o: Orthodox Christian Network) 

Salutations, Unpleasant Accents denizens! Our latest contest is up a bit more quickly that usual, because we just couldn't resist posting this picture as soon as we saw it. But first, business. The winner of our last caption contest is...

CAPTION THIS: When Pope Met Peek

The Holy Father still hadn't quite figured out the mechanics of hide-and-seek.
(Full story here. Picture c/o: Vatican Radio English)

Happy summer, dear readers! Thanks to all of you who participated in our last caption contest. In the spirit of fraternity and ecumenism, I shan't mock the losers (out loud), but I will heap praise upon the winner, who is...

CAPTION THIS: When Pope Met Patriarch

Bartholomew: "Your Holiness, you have a spot on your cassock!"
Francis: "Why thank you, Your All Holiness. Do you happen to have any hyssop with which you can purge me?"
(Full coverage here and here. Picture c/o: Ecumenical Patriarchate)

Thank you to everyone who submitted to our last caption contest! As always, we appreciate all of your efforts and what-not, but only one of you can win, to the eternal shame of the rest of you. AND THE GRAND PRIZE (of nothing) GOES TO...

CAPTION THIS: When Pope Met Prance

"'Become the first Latin American Pope,' they said... 'You can teach the young people the Argentine tango,' they said..." (Picture c/o: AP)

Thank you all for contributing to our last caption contest! We had some brilliant submissions, but there can be only one...

CAPTION THIS: When His Holiness Met Her Majesty

Elizabeth: "...and I thought this Chardonnay would be just lovely during one of your services."
Francis: "Oh, Liz. Our Lord only drank red wine, but I do appreciate that you Anglicans were thinking of the Real Presence when planning my presents!"
(Full story here. Picture c/o: Vatican Radio English)

We were most amused by your entries in our last caption contest. Our subjects presented many offerings, and although they were all quite adequate, only one took home the royal prize:

CAPTION THIS: When Pope Met Prez

Obama: "Your Holiness, uh, I think that when all's said and done, uhhh, you'll see things my way. It's the right thing to do."
Francis: "I intend no disrespect, Mr. President, but to qualify for Sainthood, you have to be Catholic — and dead!"
(Full story here. Picture c/o: Vatican Radio English)

Thanks to everyone who contributed to our last caption contest! This one was really difficult to judge (stop being so talented, dammit — just stop it), but in the end, we had to pick a winner...

CAPTION THIS: When il Papa Met il Bambino

"Shhh... Don't cry, little one. I didn't outlaw the Traditional Latin Mass. Didn't your mother ever tell you Rorate Cæli is bad for you?" (Full story here. Picture c/o: L'Osservatore Romano/Reuters)

Thank you to everyone who participated in our last caption contest! We finally finished eating the chocolate Pope evaluating the entries, and the winner is...

Sue, who reminds us of the true meaning of Easter:

"Ehhhh, it's OK. But it's no Cadbury Creme Egg."

 An honourable mention is also awarded to Rachel Chamberlain, who kept her focus on Lent:

"Man, you get the feeling that they really want me to have a daily reminder that to dust I shall return."

Brava, ladies! Gentlemen, don't be such crybabies over your loss. You fought the good fight, and you can take up arms again by leaving your captions in the comments below!

CAPTION THIS: When Divine Met Delicious

"I greatly appreciate this gesture, Signor della Vecchia, but I really would have preferred white chocolate!"
(Full story here. Picture c/o: Vatican Radio English)

Mon Dieu! The response to our last caption contest was so overwhelming, we couldn't pick just one winner. So, in the style of the Olympics (minus the exposed wires, contaminated water and confusing toilets), we present the bronze, silver and gold captions:

CAPTION THIS: When Francis Met François

François: "Oh, Your Holiness! La Presidency, she is not all she is cracked up to be!"
Francis: "You're one to complain! At least when people call you a socialist, it's true!" (Full story here. Picture c/o: AFP)

Mille fois merci for all of your submissions to our last caption contest! This one was a tough call, but in the end, Wyatt bribed his way to victory took home the gold:

"Joey, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

By now, you all should know the drill. Leave your humorous entries in the comments below! (But please, watch your French.)

CAPTION THIS: When Pope Met... Pope

Benedict: "Jorge! You old so-and-so! How are ya?!"
Francis: "Joe! You scoundrel! Oh, you know, the usual: kissing babies, hugging lepers, sneaking out at night to feed the homeless and fight crime. No biggie." (Full story here.) 

Happy New Year and Happy Epiphany, everyone! Mega-thanks to all of you who participated in our last caption contest. Congratulations to Sue for her brilliant entry:

Not many people know that before Punky Brewster settled down to a boring life with an old curmudgeon in Chicago, she was a well-traveled international spy. Here she is selling US intelligence secrets to two attentive Swiss guards.

But that was then, and this is now. If you think you're funny or at least mildly amusing, leave your captions in the comments below!

CAPTION THIS: When Swiss Met Miss

Officer: "(GASPS) Where did you get those fab-ulous boots?!"
Girl: "Oh, these old things? I got them at a steal at my local consignment shop."
Guard: "Il Papa never lets us wear fabulous boots..."

Many thanks to everyone who participated in the first-of-probably-many Unpleasant Accents Caption Contest! Congratulations to beowulf who, in addition to having an epic literary name, is our first-of-probably-many winner! Here is his high-larious caption:

Putin: "So we meet at last the two of us...one an incredibly powerful and beloved icon serving the will of God, across the world...and then you, the Leader of the Roman Catholic Church!"

So! Do you think you can steal the Funny Crown* from our champion's head? Well, have at it, and leave your captions in the comments below!

*Not an actual crown.

CAPTION THIS: When Pope Met Putin

The Russian President had been the undisputed arm-wrestling champion five years running, but this was his mightiest foe to date. (Full story here. Picture c/o: Vatican Radio English)

Welcome to the first-of-probably-many Unpleasant Accents Caption Contest! There isn't a prize or anything because, really, you're all winners (and we're all broke college grads), but if you think you can make a funny that's better than ours, leave your caption in the comments below!