Reader's Blog: Pope open to the opinion, friendship of atheists

The published schedule of Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland in August is said to include a visit by him to the Capuchin homeless shelter in Bow St, Dublin. I hope he will sit down and talk to them and speak to them about spiritual matters, as well of their daily needs.

But Pope Francis has a spiritual confidant of his very own, a 93-year-old atheist called Eugenio Scalfari, who is a respected journalist in Italy.