Rat-Zinger! Pope Benedict is actor Robert Blake!

Benedict XVI (Latin: Benedictus PP. XVI; Italian: Benedetto XVI; German: Benedikt XVI.; born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger; 16 April 1927) is the 265th Pope, a position in which he serves dual roles as Sovereign of the Vatican City State and leader of the Catholic Church. Prior to becoming Pope, he was "a major figure on the Vatican stage for a quarter of a century" as "one of the most respected, influential and controversial members of the College of Cardinals"; he had an influence "second to none when it came to setting church priorities and directions" as one of Pope John Paul II's closest confidants. Interesting because we know that JP2 was none other than Tom Landry!

Robert Blake, was born Michael James Vincenzo Gubitosi in Nutley, New Jersey. His mother, Elizabeth Cafone (b. 1910), was married to Giacomo (James) Gubitosi (1906–1956), however according to Blake in an interview with Piers Morgan, his biological father was actually Giacomo's brother. As a result of this, he said his parents were cold and distant towards him, and that his mother had actually attempted to abort him unsuccessfully in the same manner she had terminated two prior pregnancies. He had two elder siblings, brother James Gubitosi (1930–1995) and sister Giovanna Gubitosi (1932–1985).

His father was born in Italy, arriving in the United States in 1907, and his mother was an Italian-American born in New Jersey. They married in 1929. In 1930, James worked as a die setter for a can manufacturer. Eventually, James and Elizabeth began a song-and-dance act. In 1936, the three children began performing, billed as "The Three Little Hillbillies." They moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1938, where the children began working as movie extras.

I personally believe that that this Blake character is as much of a fraud as the Pope Benedict character, and the actual actor behind the mask of both is likely Italian royalty.  Keeping this theory in mind and at the same time if you look at his filmography, you can reasonably make the assumption that he is not alone in this strange endeavour of royalty dabbling in politics and acting.  It would seem that many European royals got into Hollywood a very long time ago and haven't stopped since... Hollywood turns out to be nothing but one big Royal Pain. Betty White's sister, Lucille Ball, playing the Queen supports this line of theory...

AND THANKS TO A VERY ASTUTE READER OF THIS BLOG, WE HAVE THE FOLLOWING HANDWRITING CONFIRMATION:

CARDINAL RATZINGER HANDWRITING

 ROBERT BLAKE HANDWRITING