Social media has lit up with suggestions and self-nominations to head the Vatican since Pope Benedict XVI announced his shock resignation.
The Pope has remained silent on Twitter since announcing he was too weary to continue but that hasn't stopped the jokes flooding in about talk show hosts, sports players and rich minings kingpins taking his place.
News Director for WIN Network, Stewart Richmond, posted a photo of himself as the Pope on Facebook with the note "Now is my time!" and on Twitter with the comment "Vote me Number One for Pope. I've got the look."
Comedian Chris Lilley retweeted a suggestion that his creation Ja'mie King, of Summer Heights High fame, would make the perfect replacement.
Ja'mie King for Pope! She is the smartest non Asian at her school, she could totally make the world a better place — ja'mie king (@moonimoomoo) February 11, 2013
The satirical Twitter account @Exciting_Perth, on the other hand, nominated Gina Rinehart.
Boss Gina excited by the concept of a new pope. wanting to know where she can buy Vatican Shares so she can get on the board. — Perth (@Exciting_Perth) February 12, 2013
Meanwhile, Channel Seven's David Koch enlisted the help of his "Angels" Miss Universe Australia Renae Ayris and WA-born reporter Natalie Barr in assessing how effective the Pope's joining Twitter had been.
"I don't think an elderly person taking to Twitter is modernising the church," Barr said.
"I think it's kind of a token."
But Ayris disagreed.
"I think it is really good that he's on Twitter and stuff because I respect that and my age people are always on Twitter and I'm going to have to follow him actually, because I don't follow him yet," the Perth beauty queen said.
"I respect that he's on Twitter and it is really modern."
With just weeks until his resignation comes into effect, it's unlikely Pope Benedict XVI has many tweets left to send but former AFL player Shane Crawford is hoping to get #popecrawf trending before he does.
The pope has pulled the pin! Time for an Australian pope? Get behind me and show your support #popecrawf#ihavethestrength — Shane Crawford (@SCrawf9) February 11, 2013
Given replacement ideas a dime a dozen, it was only a matter of time until talk-show queen Oprah Winrey was suggested for the job and some users spawned the hashtag #Poperah.
I'd like to nominate @oprah to be the next Pope. Can we change the rules and fast-track that?
— Perez Hilton (@PerezHilton) February 12, 2013
As for Pope resignation jokes, well there have been a few. But this one seems to be pretty popular:
The Pope is resigning. He will soon be known as Ex-Benedict. — Adam Hills (@adamhillscomedy) February 11, 2013