“Aesthetically and socio-culturally,” Anthony says, sounding a little prim on purpose. Like a good Communist, Anthony believes that mankind will eventually find religion unnecessary and will discard it. In the meantime, though, no one with any interest in understanding the world can ignore it.

But this isn’t the time to intellectualize the significance of Christianity on the world, not directly after Christmas midnight mass. Anthony is self-aware enough to stop himself before he does it aloud.

He actually laughs. “I suppose that’s the real reason I spent so much time in the Louvre as a boy.” He smirks, looking conspiratorial.