Gorbachev Dispels "Closet Christian" Rumors; Says He is Atheist

An Inside the Vatican Editor's note states:

Perhaps Gorbachev is, and wants to remain, a closet Christian. Ambassador Thomas Melady, former US Ambassador to the Vatican, at an Inside the Vatican dinner in Washington D.C. in December, told others at his table that he found out in about 1990 that Gorbachev had been secretly meeting with John Paul II for 2 years leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall and communism. The White House had sent Melady to Rome to find out why Gorbachev, on his way to meet with Reagan, was stopping first in Rome. That is when Amb. Melady first learned of this, and he said he credits John Paul II with helping to bring about the democratization of Russia.

Now, if Gorbachev is an atheist, why would he consult with John Paul II above many others?

And why did he recently kneel at the tomb of St. Francis, rather than stand and take photos as a non-pilgrim, tourist would do?

Things just don't add up.