Kurt Cobain, the unforgettable face of ’90s grunge rock, stood uncomfortably onstage with his hands by his side. He was dressed in a wrinkled black T-shirt and ripped jeans. His characteristic stringy, bleached-blond hair hung in his eyes. Just then a large jovial man came onstage. I recognized the current “smiling cardinal” of New York City.
The two men made an odd pair. Cardinal Dolan, conspicuous in his hot-pink zucchetto and red vestments, was oblivious to the awkwardness of the situation. He stretched out his hand toward the grunge rocker. His whole body seemed to lean toward Kurt, as if the smiling cardinal were on a boat, reaching to help a swimmer climb aboard. Kurt didn’t hesitate; he took his hand. And then they both smiled.
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