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For the Pope
The Pope met with his College of Cardinals to discuss the proposal. "Your Holiness," said one of the Cardinals, "the Israeli leader wants to challenge you to a game of golf to show that you are old and unable to compete. I'm afraid that this would tarnish our image to the world." The Pope asked, "Don't we have a Cardinal to represent me?" "None that plays golf very well," a Cardinal replied. "But there is a man named Jack Nicklaus, an American golfer who is a devout Catholic. We can offer to make him a Cardinal, then ask him to play as your personal representative." Everyone agreed and the call was made. Of course, Nicklaus was honored and agreed to play as a representative of the Pope. The day after the match, Nicklaus reported to the Vatican to inform the Pope of the result. "I have some good news and some bad news, Your Holiness," said the golfer. "Tell me the good news, Cardinal Nicklaus," said the Pope. "Well, Your Holiness, I don't like to brag, but even though I've played some terrific rounds of golf in my life, this was the best I have ever played, by far. With all due respect, my play was pretty miraculous." "How can there be bad news?" the Pope asked. Nicklaus sighed, "I lost to Rabbi Tiger Woods by three strokes."
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Shortly after the Pope had apologized to the Nation of Israel for the treatment of Jews by the Catholic Church over the years, the leader of Israel sent back a message to the College of Cardinals. The proposal was for a friendly game of golf to be played between the two leaders or their representatives to show the friendship and ecumenical spirit shared by the Catholic and Jewish faiths.
