TEHRAN — Cardinal Arthur Roche has just been given an unusual task of taking over the Iranian government following American-Israeli airstrikes over the weekend. Pope Leo XIV reportedly gave this assignment to Roche as a kind of “homage.”

“Roche has always honored the late Archbishop Annibale Bugnini, even wearing his episcopal ring” said Vatican spokesman Mateo Bruni. “It just seems appropriate that he end his episcopal career in a similar style to his hero. Bugnini was made apostolic delegate to the region late in his life, and now Cardinal Roche shall do the same.”

The Vatican declined to comment on whether Roche was being investigated for ties to freemasonry.