Taken together with the other reasons for American support for Israel - particularly religious affinity for the people of the Bible - Gilder's book shows that the American and Israeli people are indeed natural friends and allies bound together by their exceptionalism that motivates them to strive for excellence and progress to the benefit of all mankind.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: America's exceptional ally

During the service, the pope washes and kisses the feet of 12 people to replicate the Bible's account of Jesus Christ's gesture of humility towards his 12 apostles on the night before he was crucified.

BBC: Pope Francis to wash feet of prisoners in pre-Easter Mass

Yet it is a beautifully detailed map of the Christian world, based on the topography of the Bible bewildering to the geographer, but sensible to people of faith.

ECONOMIST: There is no such thing as an objective map