Stephen Colbert tackles the strange case of the congressman who stole Pope Francis' water glass

Rep. Bob Brady stole the papal water glass. Stephen Colbert is on it.

(Image credit: Late Show)

published 30 September 2015

After Pope Francis addressed a joint session of Congress, Rep. Bob Brady (D-Pa.) swiped the Holy Father's drinking glass, drinking from it himself, sharing the water with his wife, and vowing to sprinkle it on his grandkids. "Dude, what the hell is wrong with you?" Stephen Colbert asked on Tuesday's Late Show. If he really does, "sprinkle his grandkids with papal backwash," Colbert added, "I'm sure they'll receive a blessing — or at least conjunctivitis."

Colbert went on to mock Brady for believing the water to be holy, for promising to authenticate the glass by having the Philadelphia Police Department dust it for fingerprints — "because, you know, I'm sure the cops in Philly have the pope's prints on file" — and for his past history of stealing famous drinking glasses. Is nothing sacred? Well, Colbert has some ideas for more papal souvenirs Brady might be interested in, and you can watch them below. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

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