“People trust you. You’ve led the world out of recession, defused the Middle East and made solid steps towards nuclear disarmament. You are universally respected.”

You are…

You will…

“Shard was right – the Australian is no genius. He may be able to take us – in his blind, stumbling way – one small step closer to God but he could never take us all the way to the end of the story. He’s just not that good. But you are. Everyone knows it! And you’re needed here – not so much by those of us who do believe in a loving, responsive God – but by the great number of us who don’t.”

Is this the harsh truth?

Is this what Shard was on about?

Is your role to be the un-elected spokesman for the non-believers?

“You will appeal to both their heart, and their intellect.”

Is he right?

Is it all going to get down to that in the end?

Convincing everyone to be of the same mind… at the same time?

“As for me,” the Pope continued. “I know my role as a spiritual leader, and I will perform it. But I think a healthy provision should be made for the possibility that God will not appear. After all, several prophets have warned us not to put God to the test. And, when you think about it, there has always been a very good reason for that. The mechanics of society can’t be allowed to break under the strain of change. Whatever transition we make, whether to life under God… or to a completely God-free society, it needs to be done smoothly.”