The Pope told the President that a spark of new attitude had excited him shortly after the meeting in Mumbai –

“The Muslims were so refreshing in their open-mindedness that I instructed my emissaries to give my blessing to the operation. And I personally began to pray for the experiment to succeed. But after the operation time passed. Month after month went by and very little happened. In fact, it went exactly as I’d expected. The experiment stalled because the character they chose, Max – the young athlete, had become caught up in a very awkward circumstance involving a German model, a bag of cocaine, and a Porsche motor car. I was informed there was going to be a trial. And I concluded that the experiment had, in fact, failed.”

It was only much later, when a young, enthusiastic staff member drew his attention to the fact that something extraordinary had happened to Max at the peak of his renunciation, that the Pope initiated further inquiry.

“When my query confirmed that the words – no more talking, no more crying, nothing you see will be destroyed – had issued from the lips of this… complete novice, I must admit I was sufficiently moved to launch into a period of intense fasting, prayer, and silence. And it was from this that I gained the confirmation I required from God.”

“Mmm – so why wait for me?”

“Because only you can make it actually happen.”

“Mmm.”

“We all know – you are a very, very good politician.”

You are…

You will…