All right: It’s about time Pat spoke up. He’s also taking a second look at these V-2 popes, thanks to Francis. Better late than never.

In July of 1870, King Wilhelm sent Foreign Minister Bismarck an account of his meeting with a French envoy who had demanded that the king renounce any Hohenzollern claim to the Spanish throne. Bismarck edited the report to make it appear the Frenchman had insulted the king, and that Wilhelm rudely dismissed him. MORE