Papal Quest

The clock on the bedside table read 9:35. Bartholomew had just finished his evening prayers when he heard what sounded like a faint knocking. The sound was so faint he at first did nothing, wondering if there was someone at his door or maybe that of one of his neighbors. When he heard it again, this time slightly louder, he realized it was coming from outside of his apartment. Wondering who could be visiting at this late hour, he rose from his knees and slowly walked into the small living room. He turned the switch on the wall and the room was instantly bathed is a soft yellow glow from the overhead light fixture. He allowed the door to fully open revealing a man, perhaps a little older than he, standing in the hallway. “Good evening, Father Bartholomew, I am Father Dominic Romano. Do you, by chance, know of me?” “I know of a priest by that name who is a special assistant to His Holiness, Pope Clement. If we have met, I do not recall,” Bartholomew replied eyeing the priest dressed in street clothes. “You are correct. I am one of the special assistants to the Holy Father. It is in that capacity that I have been directed to call on you this evening. I apologize for the late hour but the darkness of the night is a benefit to my reason for visiting you this evening.” “Directed? By whom?” “By His Holiness himself,” came the reply. “Wait a minute. Are you telling me Pope Clement asked that you contact me? How can that be? I mean, how would he even know of my existence? How would he know where I live? Come on, there must be some mistake. Are you sure you have the right Thomas Bartholomew?” A smile crept over the face of the priest still standing in the hallway. “I am very sure and I will gladly explain to you the purpose of my visit. May I come in?” Thomas had a bewildered look on his face as he nodded and stepped back away from the entrance. Once inside the living room, Father Romano turned and asked, “Shall we sit down?” Again, Thomas just nodded. Romano took a seat on a small sofa and Thomas sat in the overstuffed chair. Romano leaned forward and began talking in a low voice. “You are being summoned to an audience with Pope Clement this very evening. He has directed me to contact you and escort you back to the Vatican. I have an automobile waiting downstairs.” “An audience with the pope…tonight?” Bartholomew repeated in disbelief.