The Pope met with his Cardinals to discuss a proposal
from Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of Israel.

"Your
Holiness", said one of his Cardinals, Mr. Netanyahu
wants to challenge you to a game of golf to show the
friendship and ecumenical spirit shared by the Jewish
and Catholic faiths."

The Pope thought this was a good idea, but he had never
held a golf club in his hand. "Don't we have a Cardinal
to represent me?" he asked.

"None that plays very well," a Cardinal replied. "But,"
he added, "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 Mr.
Netanyahu as your personal representative. In addition,
to showing our spirit of cooperation, we'll also win
the match."

Everyone agreed it was a good idea.

The call was made .

Of course, Nicklaus was honored and agreed to play.

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 first, Cardinal
Nicklaus," said the Pope.

"Well, your Holiness, I don't like to brag, but even
though I've played some pretty terrific rounds of golf
in my life, this was the best I have ever played, by
far. I must've been inspired from above. My drives were
long and true, my irons were accurate and purposeful,
and my putting was perfect. With all due respect, my
play was truly miraculous.

"There's bad news?", the Pope asked.

"Yes," Nicklaus sighed. "I lost to Rabbi Tiger Woods by
three strokes."