Giuliani, who has been known to take phone calls from his wife during speeches, looked rather startled, then grinned and remarked:  “I’m not going to answer that cell phone. I’m a little technically challenged. I just learned to text message.”

In the $1,000-a-head audience was Italian movie icon Gina Lollobrigida, dressed in red and substantial jewelry. Giuliani — obviously charmed — did a little bow to the legendary actress and gallantly kissed her hand.

During the Q&A, Lollobrigida, an opponent of capital punishment, asked whether he favored or opposed the death penalty. Giuliani told her that he thinks that in extreme cases capital punishment is the correct punishment.