This is an interesting little article with tidbits about what happens when you phone the Vatican, who directs the calls, etc. No, you can't get in touch with the Pope (believe me, I would try if I could), and the number for the Vatican is unlisted, but half a million people a year still manage to get through.
I've worked in call centres, and I think I'd enjoy doing this job. But it's run by a bunch of nuns, and I'd have to move to Rome. Mm.. I'll stick to being a housewife.
On call 24/7: Vatican phone system directs thousands of call each day
By Carol Glatz
7/24/2006
Catholic News Service (www.catholicnews.com)
VATICAN CITY – Even though it receives almost 2,000 calls a day, the Vatican is not about to outsource its small team of switchboard operators to answering machines or the labyrinth of automated phone menus.
FIRST PAPAL PHONE DONATED BY U.S. CATHOLICS – The first papal phone, donated to Pope Pius XI by Catholics in the United States, was used by popes for decades until the end of Pope John XXIII's pontificate. After that the phone in the pope's apartments was a standard phone in papal white. (CNS/courtesy of Vatican's telecommunications and telephone service)
When callers dial the Vatican switchboard anytime of day or night, a recorded voice will not ask them to press the pound key or hold; instead, they will talk to a human being who will tactfully and efficiently handle every call.
"There are people who are a little crazy and call at 2 a.m. to do nothing but rant and rave, and there are others who call for help," said Brother Andrea Mellini, head of the Vatican's telecommunications service.
Invariably a handful of people say they must speak with the pope, and only the discerning ear and sharp mind of a human can weed out the wacky from the serious inquiries, he said.
"Working at the (Vatican's) call center is a very delicate job, and we would never think of putting in automated operators," the brother of the Society of St. Paul said.
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H/T Mara Tom at Defenders of the Catholic Faith
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