Today's NYT crossword puzzle contains the clue "16th century pope who owned a pet elephant". Answer is LeoX from the di Medici family who was elected in 1513. The Indian elephant's name was Hanno and was a gift from Manuel, king of Portugal, to curry favor with the Vatican. The story was written by the Smithsonian in 2015. For Hanno's first appearance before the Pope it is alleged that he (Hanno) bowed and then showered the assembly with water. The "pet" is buried in the Vatican courtyard minus his tusks(?) and his skeleton was discovered during recent excavation.
Crossword puzzles can be so "puzzling" but also educational.
tjs
(NYT 5-1-20)
So the elephant isn't in the room, but in the courtyard.
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