The Adriatic sun was setting over Poljud Stadium, turning the white shell roof into a glowing halo. The sea breeze carried music across the city of Split as thousands gathered for the welcome party.
A black car rolled through the gates.
Out stepped Britney Spears, sunglasses on, smiling as the crowd roared.
Waiting for her was the Croatian pope himself — Pope John Paul III — dressed in immaculate white, hands folded like a diplomat greeting royalty.
He spread his arms toward the stadium.
“Welcome, Britney,” he said with a sly smile. “To your new vacation home on the Adriatic. Croatia is honored.”
Britney laughed. “A pope greeting me at a stadium party… this might be the wildest thing that’s ever happened to me.”
John Paul III nodded solemnly.
“My child, faith takes many forms. Tonight… it takes the form of dancing.”
The lights exploded across the stadium.
From the DJ booth high above the field, two figures raised their hands.
DJ Kangkine and DJ Doubloon.
The bass dropped.
Suddenly the opening synths of Till the World Ends blasted through the stadium.
The pope leaned closer to Britney and said calmly:
“Britney… keep on dancing till the world ends.”
The crowd erupted.
Lasers shot across the sky above the Adriatic. Boats in the harbor blasted their horns. Fireworks burst above the stadium roof.
DJ Kangkine shouted into the mic:
“POLJUD! MAKE SOME NOISE FOR BRITNEY!”
DJ Doubloon added:
“Tonight Split is the capital of the world!”
Britney climbed onto the stage platform, laughing.
“Well,” she said to the pope, “guess I better dance.”
John Paul III gave a small approving nod.
“Go,” he said. “The world could use a little joy.”
And as the beat pounded through Split, Britney Spears started dancing under the Croatian stars while the pope watched serenely, hands folded, like the patron saint of the party.
