On the last Pope's flt , Capt John Zaeske was in command. He was (and is still) a good friend of mine so when overflying France he called the CDG station on the radio. I was on duty that morning and he said the Pope had a message for President Chirac that I should relay to him at the Elysees Palace in Paris.

Then , french speaking flight attendant Amy came to the radio to read the message for Pres.Chirac.

After this radio contact , I called the Elysees Palace where nobody believed me when I told them I had a personal msg from the Pope flying over France at the moment.

Finally I got someone fromt Pres Chirac's staff who told me to fax the msg. -Which I did, in the afternoon I called back the Elysees Palace and asked if my fax had been relayed to Chirac. No one seemed aware of that fax and again they all believed I was joking.

I came to the conclusion that Pres Chirac was never given my fax and consequently never got the Pope words for Pres Chirac and the people of France!!!

Serge