02 Oct I’m starting to like this guy, in spite of myself

The phone on Eugenio Scalfari’s desk rang.

Hello?

Hello, this is Pope Francis.

Hello Your Holiness.  I am shocked. I did not expect you to call me.

The atheist editor of the Italian daily La Republica had recently written the Holy See, asking for a meeting with the pope.

Why so surprised? You wrote me a letter asking to meet me in person. I had the same wish, so I’m calling to fix an appointment. Let me look at my diary: I can’t do Wednesday, nor Monday, would Tuesday suit you?

Read Scalfari’s refreshing account of the rest of the conversation here.