One day, while the pope was eating his breakfast, one of his assistants came running up to him.
Out of breath, he panted, "Your Holiness, I have good news and bad news. Which would you like first?"
The pope, being good natured, replied, "If I hear something good and of value, I think I could take anything that's bad. So let me hear the good news first."
The assistant then said, "Very good, your Holiness. The good news is that God is on the telephone and wishes to speak to you."
"How wonderful! I've been waiting to talk to him for many years!" the pope exclaimed excitedly. Then the pope enquired, "If God is on the telephone, what could possibly be the bad news?"
"Well..." the assistant stammered, "er... he's calling from Mecca."