With Pope Francis making so much news in the United States, the other gentle spiritual leader of millions — the Dalai Lama — made a little news of his own.

Maybe he was jealous of Pope Francis?

In any case, his holiness was quoted in a BBC interview on the question of whether a woman could be his successor as the next Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama: Therefore, you see now today’s world, lots of trouble. I think females should take more important roles. And then I told the reporter [in Paris who had once asked him about a female Dalai Lama] if a female Dalai Lama comes, their face… should be very attractive.

Reporter: So you can only have a female Dalai Lama if they’re very attractive? Is that what you’re saying?

Dalai Lama: I mean, if female Dalai Lama come, then that female must be very attractive, otherwise not much use.

Reporter: Really? You’re joking I’m assuming? Or you’re not joking?

Dalai Lama: No, true!

I’m not surprised the reported thought he was joking. If you’ve ever heard the Dalai Lama you know that he has a very endearing sense of humor. Maybe he will turn around in a few days and announce that he was just kidding.

But the cat is out of the bag.

Oh, Dalia Lama, you couldn’t just let the Pope have the headlines?