Harvey, a close friend, reports with continuing excitement his meeting with the pope last week.

He had received an invitation to a public audience where he was invited to a seat on a stage where some thirty other people had assembled. After an hour, he was brought to the pope who spoke with him in Spanish and English.

A Protestant theologian, Harvey does not accept the validity of the papacy.

However, on this occasion he was deeply moved to meet the still new holder of that office.

This is what especially moved him: “As we parted, he took my hand in both his and asked me to pray for him. I intend to.”

About Pope Francis, he writes to me: “He is a VERY impressive guy.”