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....