I’ve read stories from sports writers who say they get irritated when they hear an athlete say things like “Jesus gave me the strength to overcome their 4-3 defense and take it to the house. Praise Jesus.” As it turns out, God must watch football, because it looks like being one of the best players in the history of the NFL gets you to the front of the line to talk to Him. Or at least His earthly right-hand man.

With Pope Benedict XVI in the U.S, delivering mass today in a sports stadium (why in heaven it would be the Washington Nationals stadium and not FedEx Field is beyond me), Favre will be there, either in person or in spirit (via video) to welcome the Pope on his first papal visit to the United States.

A football insider who’s seen Favre’s contribution to the 15-minute video to be displayed on the jumbotron upon the Pope’s arrival is reporting that Favre is seen wearing his 1996 Packer Superbowl ring, holding it up to the camera and saying “You think your ring is nice? Check this out, Benny.”*

Saint Vince was unavailable for comment.

* Fabrication. (Oh, Crap. I think I just broke the ninth commandment.)