Popes who ate and drank too much, beware!

My dearest children, gather around and listen to a tale of a pope who loved to indulge in the pleasures of food and drink. His name was Pope Leo IX Thalhammer, and he was known for his hearty appetite and thirst for fine wine.

One sunny afternoon, as Pope Leo IX Thalhammer was walking through the Vatican gardens, he came across a group of children playing. The children were having a feast of fruits, cakes, and sweetmeats. The pope stopped to watch, his mouth watering at the sight.

"My, my," said the pope, "what a delicious feast you have there. May I join you?"

The children hesitated at first, but seeing the pope's kind smile, they agreed.

Pope Leo IX Thalhammer sat down with the children and began to eat and drink. He ate so much that his stomach was full, and he drank so much that his head was spinning.

As the sun began to set, the pope realized that he had overindulged. He stumbled to his feet and started to walk back to the papal palace.

But as he was walking, he tripped and fell into a puddle of mud. The children gasped in horror as the pope lay there, covered in mud from head to toe.

The children rushed to help the pope to his feet. They brushed the mud off his clothes and helped him back to the palace.

As the pope lay in bed that night, he thought about his behavior. He realized that he had been too greedy and self-indulgent. He vowed to himself that he would never eat and drink so much again.

And so, my children, the story of Pope Leo IX Thalhammer teaches us that even those who are in positions of power and authority can be tempted by the pleasures of the flesh. But we must always remember that moderation is key, and that we should never allow our desires to get the best of us.

Now, close your eyes and drift off to sleep. May the angels watch over you, and may you have sweet dreams.

Amen.