The Papal Conclave starts tomorrow, with 115 cardinals flocking to the Sistine Chapel. Faithful readers of the Monkey Cage are familiar with political science treatments of Papal elections: here, here, here and here. Now, just in time for balloting in both the Sistine Chapel and the Washington Post Peeps Contest, you might enjoy this Binder-Maltzman (not Forrest) Peeps edition of the Papal Conclave, aka the Peepal Conclave. (Warning: This birds-eye view is still under peep/peer review.)
We outfitted 117* chick Peeps in red felt cardinal suits and cooped them up in a home-made replica of the Sistine Chapel. (H/t Michelangelo.) The blue guy keeping tabs on the proceedings? The Pope’s Peeping Butler is back on the job.
Ever wonder how the Cardinals pass the time in the conclave? We had some ideas: 
The Cardinal Peeps are baking a pizza in the papal stove, sipping espresso, eating gelato, scanning an iPeep, and reading Washington Post stories about the Pope. Unfortunately, Eggs Benedict proved a bit difficult to mold out of clay. (H/t to my GW lunch-room colleagues and Peep-contest pals who helped to hatch the details.)
*The diorama includes two extra birds Cardinals since the Washington Post Peeps Contest entry deadline fell before two papabili dropped out of the Conclave. Birds of a feather don’t always flock together.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Heartiest applause for a fun piece.
Wonderful fun! But given the recent crack-down on the tweeting of Cardinals, I wonder if an iPeep will be allowed in the conclave?
And we don’t want to hear a peep out of the women…We alone hold the truth
Peepabile?
I want one!
try fitting them into a microwave and see what happens…
Hi, Writing to you from WHDH, Boston’s NBC station. Can we have permission to use the pictures of your “peepal” conclave? We just love it and think it would be fun to show on the air!
Thanks,
Enza Sheehan
WHDH-TV
617-248-5441
I want to see the new Peep in his Peep mobile!
Peeple, peeple…really???
And the color of the smoke issss- Yellow? –OH NOOO -THEY’VE KILLED KENNY!
One of the most creative things I have seen. I am VERY Catholic & love seeing the great creativity if the Papal Peeps. ONLY WISH I COULD PURCHASE ONE!!!!
Hope you win the peeps contest!
(: Funny+ Awesome= Cool!!!!!!
I guess the peep elected took the name Dextrose I????
Very funny ayway tommorroe reopen the real Sistine Chapel.
Are we all having a Peepal audience? A good laugh just in time for Easter.