A German man disguised as a bishop snuck into the Vatican Monday as part of an attempt to infiltrate the secret pre-conclave meetings of the Church officials who will choose the next pope.
VINCENZO PINTO / Getty Images
Ralph Napierski (L) managed to pass at least one level of security and even posed for a photo with Cardinal Sergio Sebastiani, president emeritus of the Vatican's Prefecture for Economic Affairs.
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The "Corpus Dei" website lists "Bishop Ralph Napierski" as its founder and states that he is also an "internet activist and hacker for information freedom and information security."
Via wordpress.com
Napierski is also involved with "Jesus Yoga," which claims to promote “the ancient and hidden techniques of Christian meditation."
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On Monday, after he cleared the first level of security, Napierski mingled with Cardinals and various officials for half an hour outside the auditorium where the top-secret meeting was to take place.
L'Osservatore Romano / AP
He introduced himself as "Basilius" to the reporters and Cardinals outside the auditorium and claimed to be a bishop in the Italian Orthodox Church (which also doesn't exist).
Osservatore Romano / Reuters
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