I'll be damned...

Yes, it seems the legends are true and the cross does, indeed, turn purple. I was sort of hoping it was an urban legend. I tried to check it out myself the night the pope died but there was too much fog to see the top of the mountain. Climbing up the mountain a bit didn't help. The mountain had a lot of mud and an acutal waterfall from all the rain and melting snow, so I ventured back home instead of climbing further.



Here it is as seen from Le Plateau. Usually there would be a greenish-whitish tinge to the light instead of the sort of mauve thing going on here. (Thanks to Benjamin for the photos)