Posted 7/5/2024 8:22 AM (GMT -5)
The Pope received a visit from a priest from a poor parish in Appalachia.
On the Pope’s desk was a white phone, next to his regular office phone.
The priest noticed it, and, curious, asked what it was for. His Holiness explained, “This is my direct line to God.” Judging from the look of disbelief on the priest’s face, the Pope picked up the handset, put it to his ear, got God on the line, and asked if He would mind talking to the priest. Then he handed the set to the priest, who put it to his ear, realized it really was God on the line, and had a brief, nervous talk with the Almighty, thanking Him profusely for speaking with him. After a few moments, he said a humble goodbye, and returned the handset to the Pope, who himself chatted a friendly goodbye to God, and hung up the phone.
The priest looked at his watch, and realizing he had overstayed his allotted time, stood to take leave.
“Wait a moment,” said the Pope. "Please leave something to help pay for the call to God. Heaven is far away, you know." The priest dug into his pocket for a few coins, and handed them over to the Pope with apologies for the small sum, but it was all that he could afford. The Pope smiled, saying it was okay. The priest then backed out of the Pope’s office and left.
A year later, the Pope was touring parishes in the poorer parts of America, including Appalachia. Remembering the visit from the poor priest, he decided to pay him a visit. He did so, and found the priest at his small church, located near the top of a large mountain, with a gorgeous view of all the surrounding mountains and valleys, all green and majestic and beautiful.
The Holy Father entered the priest’s small office, where he saw a crudely carved plaque reading “Almost Heaven” on the priest's desk. Then he also noticed a white phone similar to his own, at the edge of the desk. He pointed to it, and raised an eyebrow. “Yes,” said the priest. “I also was able to get a direct line to God.”
“Impossible!” laughed the Pope. “Only I have such a thing.” The priest pointed to the phone and said, “Try it.”
So the Pope picked up the phone, put it to his ear, and it quickly became evident that, indeed, God was on the line, and was admonishing His Holiness for his arrogance. The Pope apologized and was forgiven, telephonically. He hung up, looked at the priest and apologized.
Then he said “I know how expensive those calls are, and I know you live here in poverty. So whatever the call costs, I will pay ten times the amount as penance for my arrogance!”
The priest smiled. “No need for that, your Holiness. The call will cost you nothing.”
“How can that be?” gasped the Pope.
"Because," the priest said as he smiled, "it's a local call.”