Papa Emeritus III

The Flamboyant One

**Papa Emeritus III**, or "**Terzo**" (*Italian: "Third"*), was the third frontman of Ghost during the Meliora and Popestar cycle from 2015-2017; as well as the ultimate, unsurpassed, utmost kazoo master. He was played by frontman and founding member Tobias Forge.

## Appearance

Papa III has two outfits. The first one is his black chasuble with purple lining and the second is a dressed down outfit he would wear during performances and public events. He originally had different facepaint during his debut performance, as he was sent the wrong mask by accident. He used this mask during the first two shows before switching to the more commonly known mask.

## History

    Papa III is the "younger brother by three months" of Papa Emeritus II. He made his live debut on June 3, 2015 at a special show in their hometown of Linköping, Sweden. Papa II passed the mic down to his younger brother, who introduced himself in Italian: *"Io sono Papa Emeritus... **Terzo**."* Papa III and the ghouls played four new songs: From the Pinnacle to the Pit, Cirice, Majesty, and Absolution. Cirice also won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2016.

Meliora was promoted through the Unholy/Unplugged tour accompanied by two nameless ghouls, where he debut his dressed down outfit and played a kazoo during the unplugged version of Ghuleh/Zombie Queen. They also did a world tour known as Black to the Future.

In September of 2016, they released a new song called Square Hammer off of their EP Popestar. They embarked on the North American Popestar tour. A year later, Papa III went out on tour with a new group of Nameless Ghouls. They did a European Popestar Tour, another North American Popestar tour, and even opened up for Iron Maiden on their Book of Souls tour.

    Four music videos were released during his time in the band. The videos were Cirice, From the Pinnacle to the Pit, Square Hammer, and He Is, the latter three of which he features heavily in.

## Sede vacante / Interregnum

Papa III's reign came to an end on September 30, 2017, beginning a period of sede vacante for Ghost. While the band was performing Monstrance Clock during ritual, two men came up on stage and dragged Papa III away, ending the song abruptly. Soon after, two men came up on stage escorting an elderly papa using a cane and an oxygen mask named Papa Emeritus Zero (later known as Papa Nihil) who addressed the crowd: "The party is over. The middle ages have begun", before being escorted off stage. Papa Zero is later revealed as the father of Papa I, Papa II, and Papa III. At the end of Papa III's era, the band released the live album Ceremony and Devotion.

In March 2018, he along with his brothers Papa Emeritus I and Papa Emeritus II were killed by their father Papa Nihil, Sister Imperator, and the clergy. They were embalmed and put on display on Ghost's Prequelle tour cycle.

## Gallery

Papa III without his facepaint, in very unfortunate lightingPlaying the kazooPapa III's embalmed body in the Veneration of RelicsPapal gown concept art by Michel BerandiPapal gown concept art by Michel BerandiUnused outfit concept by Michel BerandiUnused outfit concept by Michel BerandiPapa's casual costume prototype - Gustav III historical costumeThe first version of Papa's chasuble (with a black mitre)Papa III in the From The Pinnacle To The Pit music videoPapa III in the Square Hammer music videoPapa III in the He Is music videoAn early version of Papa's face paint
## Links

* Terzo's first show
* Papa Emeritus III: A prologue and introduction by Peter Bebergal

## References

1. ↑ We Interviewed A Nameless Ghoul From Ghost - *Youtube*