Pope Francis has telephoned actor Roberto Benigni to compliment him on his performance in the Italian television special "The Ten Commandments," Vatican sources told Ansa Thursday.
However, Vatican officials would not comment.
"We neither confirm nor deny the story," Vatican deputy press officer Father Ciro Benedettini said.
"This is a case of a private telephone call by the Holy Father," meaning the press office normally would not comment.
Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia, a friend of Benigni and spiritual advisor to the Sant'Egidio Community, said he also had telephoned the actor.
"I saw the show and I liked it." Asked about the pope's call to Benigni, Paglia said "I wouldn't be at all surprised though I can't confirm if there was such a call or not".
However several Vatican sources confirmed the unusual call.
"He called him after the first episode," they said.
Insiders close to Francis say that normally he does not watch television and did not even watch the World Cup final with his native Argentina playing even though he is a passionate soccer fan.
In the case of the Ten Commandments show, however, Francis evidently made an exception or perhaps also noted the enthusiastic reviews in the Catholic press in Italy. http://popefrancisnewsapp.com/
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