Not the Dream Team some Catholics envisoned, but the President-elect dialed the Pope personally to thank him for the congratulatory telegram. According to CNS:

The Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, confirmed to Catholic News Service Nov. 12 that the president-elect telephoned the pope Nov. 11 “to thank the pope for his telegram, his congratulations” on winning the U.S. presidential election.

Further details about the call were not known, Father Lombardi said.

Pope Benedict sent his congratulations Nov. 5, referring to the “historic occasion” of the election, marking the first time a black man has been elected president of the United States.

Father Lombardi said Nov. 5 the pope prayed that “the blessing of God would sustain him (Obama) and the American people so that with all people of good will they could build a world of peace, solidarity and justice.”

The press office for Obama’s presidential transition team said all conversations with world leaders are private and no details would be released on this conversation or any conversation with world leaders.

A positive sign on both sides, and perhaps a nudge to the bishops meeting in Washington, who are trying to strike the right tone in their challenge/welcome to the new Democratic administration.

Then again, maybe they should be worried that Obama is campaigning for higher office. After all, Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta suggested that Obama’s election is a foretaste of what could happen in a conclave one day…Pope Barack I anyone?