When Morley Safer Visited the Vatican

The CBS News legend died today, just days after announcing his retirement. He was 84.

I knew him during my time at CBS, and would sometimes bump into him by the elevator in our building, or at Lee’s Art Shop on 57th Street. He was always gracious, friendly and warm, even though I’m sure he had only the slightest clue who I was or what I did. I used to visit Lee’s to buy gift cards and wrapping paper; he went there to get frames and mattes for the paintings he created at his home studio.

He was a classic CBS character: someone who had been everywhere, done everything, and loved to talk about it. He was worldly, and weary, and bore the slightly dazed and tired look of a basset hound bracing himself for one more walk in the woods. Morley smoked endlessly and wrote beautifully. I don’t know anyone who didn’t adore him.

God speed, Morley.

Below, a classic from 2011, showing Morley Safer’s visit to the Vatican Library. And if you haven’t seen it yet, check out his profile of Mother Angelica. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTDJ7bqPdVk

Photo: Wikipedia