Seasoned journalists seem to have no trouble conversing with well-known men and women of their time—be they political or religious leaders, business tycoons or show biz celebrities. But what would happen when journalists come face to face with the greatest person to have walked the earth—Jesus Christ?
When Breathe Cast asked Gay Talese that question, the man who helped define literary journalism became thoughtful and did not offer an answer at once. Instead he took a trip down memory lane.
Talese said he has interviewed many, many notable persons, including Muhammad Ali, Pope John Paul II, Joe DiMaggio, and Frank Sinatra. His articles—such as "Frank Sinatra Has a Cold" and "The Silent Season of a Hero"—have been celebrated far and wide.
Talese retraced his glory days in journalism back in the early 90s when he was blessed to be part of a tour of southern Italy with the Polish-born Pope John Paul II. It was the first time a pope had done it since the 11th century. During his five days with the pontiff, the journalist observed him.
He saw the pope as a man, and because of it, he was able to write a riveting portrait about him. Talese concluded that the root of Christianity should not be viewed based on its highest seat of power, the papacy. "You can find religion in the best of the Catholic Church in any small community in any small town within any country," he said.
"Not every bishop, pope, and nun follows what they profess to follow," he added. "There are some fallen people, priests who abuse children; we have enough of them in the news...but we're talking about the people who represent the best."
Should he come face to face with Christ, he said he would the same thing he did when he met Pope John Paul II—He would observe the Messiah.
"If I'm following Jesus, I'm looking as a reporter at how he conducts his life. How does he deal with the poor? How does he deal with the unfortunate? How does he deal with the ignorant? How does he deal with the disbelievers? How does he deal with the heretics? How does he deal with all the people who are not living up to His sense of virtue and morality, and right thinking?" said Talese.
He believes the spirit of Jesus would not "intolerant, but very tolerant and very open to different kinds of people."
