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“In reading your list of accomplishments,” the bishop said, “I am still not entirely sure what it is you do”

“I specialize in ga”

“So you ames that the children play?”

Kirsch sensed the bishop was feigning ignorance in an attempt to be quaint More accurately, Kirsch knew, Valdespino was a frighteningly well-inforers “No, sir, actually game theory is a field of mathematics that studies patterns in order to make predictions about the future”

“Ah yes I believe I read that you predicted a European o? When nobody listened, you saved the day by inventing a coram that pulled the EU back from the dead What was your fae as Christ when He performed His resurrection’”

Kirsch cringed “A poor analogy, Your Grace I was young”

“Young?” The bishop chuckled “And how old are you now … perhaps forty?”

“Just”

The oldwind continued to billow his robe “Well, the one to the young—the technically inclined, those who stare into video screens rather than into their own souls I ined I would have reason to e They call you a prophet, you know”

“Not a very good one in your case, Your Grace,” Kirsch replied “When I asked if I ues privately, I calculated only a twenty percent chance you would accept”

“And as I toldto nonbelievers It is in hearing the voice of the devil that we can better appreciate the voice of God” The oldsense of humor My filters fail me from time to time”

With that, Bishop ValdespinoThis way, please”

Kirsch eyed their destination, a colossal citadel of gray stone perched on the edge of a sheer cliff that plunged thousands of feet down into a lush tapestry of wooded foothills Unnerved by the height, Kirsch averted his eyes fro the uneven cliffside path, turning his thoughts to theahead

Kirsch had requested an audience with three pro a conference here

The Parliaions

Since 1893, hundreds of spiritual leaders froathered in a different location every few years to spend a week engaged in interfaith dialogue Participants included a wide array of influential Christian priests, Jewish rabbis, and Isla with Hindu pujaris, Buddhist bhikkhus, Jains, Sikhs, and others

The parliament’s self-proclai the world’s religions, build bridges between diverse spiritualities, and celebrate the intersections of all faith”