Did Pope John Paul II own a ZX Spectrum?

[Oloturia]

Yesterday I was listening to a geek-themed channel on owncast. They were talking about the life of Matthew Smith and his games.
They were saying that John Paul II owned a ZX Spectrum, that his favourite game was Jet Set Willy and... that he was able to finish it! (without cheats?)

I've never heard such an urban legend. OK maybe he really owned a Spectrum, why not?
Do you know anything about it?

[spider]

https://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/cel ... 3062172991

I had heard the story before a few times, although I'm unable to verify its accuracy.

The article linked mentioned Chuckie Egg as well, which (as far as I know) is an endless loop.

Knight Lore and SkoolDaze I can understand, the latter especially as its not 'that' difficult once you've got a list of the battles and know to be patient and careful. I've myself not completed K.L without cheating, I think personal best was maybe 3 or 4 objects (no cheats)

Some pokes would be needed OR the 'Sold A Million' re-release (Speedlock loader version) as that has the pokes already applied, in a slightly different way iirc however it would be completable 'as is' with much care!

[XTM]

Funny paywall on that site ...

[AndyC]

Well he definitely didn't finish JSW without at least the official POKEs to correct the various game breaking bugs. I suspect it's urban legend entirely though.

[Oloturia]

https://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/cel ... 3062172991

I had heard the story before a few times, although I'm unable to verify its accuracy.

Also, I doubt that a Vatican spokesman could describe JSW's collision detection 'a bitch'
Seriously, could be this the source of the urban legend or maybe Daily Mash are just elaborating an older joke?

The article linked mentioned Chuckie Egg as well, which (as far as I know) is an endless loop.

They don't give away sainthoods for nothing!

[flatduckrecords]

Funny paywall on that site ...

Yeah, the Daily Mash is a satirical news site.

[Guesser]

Are bears Catholic?



No wait, that's not right

[Oloturia]

Well he definitely didn't finish JSW without at least the official POKEs to correct the various game breaking bugs. I suspect it's urban legend entirely though.

The pope could issue many indulgentia plenaria as his will, I think it was no effort for him to insert some POKE.

[Morkin]

I suspect it was just a misunderstanding.

Someone probably heard him say:

"I can get to the Vatican"

...which was misconstrued as meaning that he'd played Manic Miner.

[Lee Bee]

[bluespikey]

I think it was a translation issue. Doing some searching, all I can find are news stories about priests and 'Manic Minors'.

There was also a link to something promising 'The Priest's Hole', but I didn't click on it.

[Oloturia]

I wonder what he thought about The Chapel.

[Guesser]

Just read another story about me poking willy in attick, completely false.