An American businessman was in Rome, and with only a few days remaining
in his trip, decided he wanted to see the Pope. He went to the Vatican,
and waited in line for a long time. Finally the Pope emerged and
proceeded down the line.
The businessman was wearing his finest Armani suit and Italian leather shoes,
and was hoping that the Pope would notice him.
To his disappointment,however, the Pope went straight past him without so much as a glance.
The businessman was even further dismayed when a few metres further down
the line, the Pope stopped in front of a decrepit local tramp, leant forward
and said a few words into the tramp's ear.
Straight afterwards the businessman went up to the tramp, and offered to
trade his Armani suit for the tramp's shabby outfit. The tramp readily agreed.
The next day the businessman went back to the Vatican wearing the tramp's
gear, and to all appearances looking (and smelling) like a homeless bum.
He waited in the line again until the Pope emerged and proceeded down the line.
This time the Pope noticed him immediately, came straight towards him,
leant forward and whispered in his ear "I thought I told you to f__k off!"