2009-11-07
Explanation
This comic shows a man talking to the Pope while standing in front of a painting of Adam and Eve (or similar nude biblical figures) in what appears to be the Vatican. The man argues: "I know it'd go against our modern sensibilities, but Eden is supposed to be a place of perfect joy. Why would Adam and Eve walk around with fig leaves stuck to their crotches?" The caption reads: "I narrowly managed to convince the Pope to repaint the Vatican with marijuana leaves."
The joke works on multiple levels. On the surface, the man is making a seemingly logical theological argument: if the Garden of Eden was a paradise of pure happiness, why would its inhabitants cover themselves with uncomfortable fig leaves? But the caption reveals his true agenda -- he has used this argument as a pretext to get the Pope to replace the fig leaves in Vatican artwork with marijuana leaves, implying that marijuana (rather than mere nudity) is the real key to "perfect joy." The humor lies in the absurd image of Vatican masterpieces being altered with pot leaves, and in the con-man logic used to convince the Pope.
The votey panel shows the Pope asking, "Is that one--" and the man cheerfully confirming, "Wrapped in bacon, yes." This extends the joke by suggesting the man has made additional irreverent modifications to the sacred artwork, wrapping something (presumably a figure or a marijuana leaf) in bacon. It implies an escalating pattern of sneaking secular indulgences into holy art under the guise of theological improvement.