Ch.350Episode 14 – One Religion, One Faith, Two Saints

The appearance of a new star always draws people’s attention.

The decaying state of religious circles, rotting from stagnation, earned the contempt of intellectuals, outsiders, and the general public alike. In this situation, the birth of a new saint aroused the expectations of all.

A clergy member more devout than anyone. A priest who had quietly cultivated herself in the lowest and darkest places.

Lucia, the second saint in history without precedent and possessing untainted purity, naturally couldn’t help but attract everyone’s attention.

The disciple of the Heavenly God handed the key to open the gates of heaven to the Pope, and the angel, servant of the Heavenly God, delivered revelations to the saint.

Then, what exactly did the Heavenly God bestow upon Lucia?

An immense amount of divine power that even bishops and cardinals couldn’t approach?

The determination to relinquish a coveted worldly position just to meet one person?

Or perhaps an upright character that doesn’t yield to hardship and adversity?

What message was God trying to convey through the new saint to religious figures who, while distancing themselves from the secular world, had become tainted by it?

Debates raged across various fields—politics, society, culture, religion, and more.

What changes would Lucia bring to the stagnant status quo? Why had she received the Heavenly God’s favor? And did she truly deserve to be a saint?

Yet no intellectual could provide a clear answer.

She herself was no exception.

“Saint.”

At the priest’s voice calling her, Lucia gently opened her eyes.

Reflected in her blue eyes, reminiscent of the sea, were the fluttering flags of the Vatican, the lined-up guards, and the tense expressions of clergy and monastics.

And then.

“I have read your letter.”

The shrewd Pope John XVI appeared before Lucia’s eyes.

He addressed the saint who was about to face her canonization ceremony.

“Let’s take a walk.”

Episode 14 – One Religion, One Faith, Two Saints

It’s a story not many know, but Pope John XVI has a private hobby.

One shouldn’t think of the immoral and gloomy tastes of some clergy. For an elderly man facing death, even living through the time given was burdensome, making it extremely difficult to devote energy to personal hobbies like others did.

Thus, the hobby permitted to the Pope had to be of a modest nature, unlike other leaders.

“Let’s keep walking. We mustn’t stop.”

The leader of the church, Pope John XVI, pointed the way with his hand clutching a handkerchief.

As he quickened his pace, his pure white cassock swayed back and forth, and his red shoes, handcrafted by a master, brushed past the grass.

Similarly dressed in a pristine white cassock and wearing red shoes, Lucia carefully lifted her hem and matched her steps to the old man’s stride.

Walking through the garden of the historic Tranquille Cathedral, the sacred site of Laterano, the Pope wiped his mouth with his handkerchief and sighed.

“Whew…”

“Are you alright?”

“Ah, I’m fine.”

Pope John XVI gave a clear smile in response to Lucia’s concerned question.

“I’m just a bit short of breath. It’s not easy to move with this old body, but such effort is necessary to maintain the health God has given me.”

“Indeed. Health is the greatest blessing.”

Lucia nodded, wearing a gentle smile. Meanwhile, the Pope adjusted his grip on his cane with the hand holding the handkerchief and resumed walking.

The Tranquille Cathedral, boasting a deep history, was characterized by its majestic scale befitting its reputation. This was also true of the garden, allowing the two to continue their walk for quite some time.

During that long stroll, John XVI and Lucia exchanged various conversations.

The atmosphere of their dialogue in the garden, now in spring, was peaceful, and the content was infinitely light and without weight.

Incidentally, the first to speak was the one who had proposed the walk.

“As I’ve aged, it’s become quite difficult to control my body as I’d like. Believe it or not, I used to pride myself on having good stamina among the clergy, but these days even opening my eyes in the morning is a struggle.”

John XVI was a priest of great renown in the church.

He began his life as a religious figure by starting his pastoral activities in a large diocese known for its substance. Rising from parish priest to bishop’s personal secretary to central office official, John XVI’s reputation grew day by day, culminating in his election as Pope.

The largest share of his distinguished clerical life was occupied by his career in the Inquisition.

Defender of the faith, punisher who condemned heresy.

John XVI was one of the most distinguished figures in the Inquisition, which was said to gather all kinds of talent, and had achieved numerous accomplishments.

In recognition of these merits, through the recommendation of the State Council, he rose to the positions of cardinal and bishop, and ultimately was elevated to Pope, the dream of all bishops, and took his seat on the Holy See.

Of course, all these achievements were now just past history. John XVI was a Pope on the verge of retirement.

As with all things in the world, if there is a beginning, there is an end; if there is an uphill, there is a downhill. Once a person in power relinquishes that power by their own hand, they can no longer be called a person of power.

He seemed to understand this fact as well. John XVI burst into a hearty laugh and made a self-deprecating joke.

“With the inauguration of the new Pope approaching, everyone seems to be ignoring me. Is it because I’m an old man about to step down from the Holy See? These days, even when I come out for a walk like this, only the guards follow me.”

“Please don’t say such things, even in jest. You are still the Pope.”

“If you’re trying to maintain appearances, I appreciate it, but there’s no need to worry. I actually prefer things this way.”

“Why do you feel comfortable now?”

“Naturally, because the weight of the Holy See has been lifted.”

John XVI added with a bright smile.

“The bishops envy me, but the position of Pope is more tedious than one might think. With so many eyes watching, there’s much to uphold, and even when you have intentions or things you want to do, it’s difficult to readily act on them. So I’m happy these days. Because my successor has finally appeared.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, indeed.”

The garden is wide and the walking path is long. Long enough to hear an old man’s story.

As the breeze gently blew their garments, the Pope’s mouth seemed tireless as they continued their walk.

“Indeed, as I’ve aged, I feel I talk more. My thoughts too. Every night before bed, I offer prayers, but I feel like endless thoughts keep tripping me up.”

“No one in the world lives without worries. I’m the same.”

“Ah, so the Saint has many worries too. Ha ha. I thought I was the only one suffering alone, but I’m glad to hear that.”

John XVI laughed as if delighted to have found a kindred spirit. Tapping the gravel with his specially crafted papal cane, he gradually reduced his pace as if tiring.

Though his speed decreased, his gait remained dignified. His eloquence was the same.

John XVI opened his mouth to continue what he was saying. In a tone like a grandfather addressing his granddaughter.

“Where was I? Ah, yes. Age. These days, this old man finds that as I’ve aged, it’s not easy to move my body as I’d like. Day by day, my body deteriorates and my mind grows hazier. It’s as if fog has filled my head. In my youth, I would work late, drink alcohol, and smoke cigarettes, but now I cough when I smell tobacco smoke, and my eyes close as soon as evening comes.”

Suddenly, a smile appeared on the old man’s lips.

And then came a voice tinged with humor.

“So these days, I maintain hobbies like walking. To maintain my dignity as Pope.”

Health is God’s greatest blessing and gift. How could someone who calls himself Pope be constantly complaining?

At that joke-filled question, Lucia smiled.

The Pope tapped pebbles with his cane for quite some time. After continuing their walk for about ten minutes, finally seeming to have exhausted his strength, the Pope sat down on a bench prepared along the path.

“Nngh…”

“Let me help you.”

“Thank you.”

Lucia supported John XVI as he sat on the bench. As she stood in a modest posture, having fulfilled her duty by helping the Pope to his seat, the Pope gently offered her a seat.

By the time Lucia sat on the bench, a strange silence had descended in place of the bustling sounds that had disappeared.

In that peculiar silence, Lucia briefly pondered what words to use to start a conversation.

However, the first to break the silence was not her but John XVI. The Pope covered his mouth with his handkerchief, coughed repeatedly, and then naturally folded the handkerchief and put it in his pocket.

“Yes. As I’ve aged, I find that even managing my own body doesn’t go as planned. The same goes for work. Looking back, I realize that recently, nothing has gone according to my wishes.”

The Pope’s lament continues.

“Mediating disputes between cardinals and bishops in the diocese, contending with powerful leaders of great nations over political situations, even choosing what to have for dinner—none of it is easy. And then there’s the matter related to the new saint, which has become the hottest topic of debate throughout church history.”

“……”

“I’m not blaming you. It was the clergy who placed you in the position of saint, but it was God’s will that guided you to that position. Please don’t worry too much, Saint. Just think of it as an old man’s complaint.”

Lucia, who had been listening attentively to the Pope’s words, nodded slightly.

“I’m listening.”

“Thank you.”

The Pope adjusted his grip on his cane and let out a faint sigh. It was the kind of sigh that someone with many thoughts might make.

“I already know why you sent me a letter. And with what feelings. Given your character, it wasn’t difficult to predict.”

“……”

“You arranged this meeting today to convey words of apology to me, didn’t you?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I thought so.”

The Pope nodded readily, as if he had expected it. He stroked his cheekbones, cheeks, and chin with his hand before speaking.

“There’s no need to wonder how I know about your character. I’m already prepared to answer.”

“How did you read my thoughts, Your Holiness?”

“Because I received a revelation.”

“What?”

“I mean I read the report.”

John XVI, the gatekeeper of heaven and master of the Holy See, answered as if he had nothing to hide.

“People think the Inquisition only monitors heretics, but the Inquisition watches not only outside the church but also inside. I know this well because I worked there. The Inquisition is like the eyes and ears of the Pope. And those eyes and ears tell me what the clergy eat and drink, where they sleep, and what they think.”

“……”

In other words, the Inquisition had been surveilling the church’s clergy.

However, neither Lucia nor John XVI seemed particularly surprised by this. After all, the Inquisition’s surveillance was already an open secret.

Like all intelligence agencies, the Inquisition serves as the eyes and ears of the Pope, the highest authority. From the narrow scope of a cleric’s character to the broader aspects of their relationships and private lives, all information is conveyed to the Pope through the Inquisition.

This information is utilized in various fields.

It serves as an audit function, uncovering corruption and wrongdoing in clergy promotion reviews, follows rumors to uncover conspiracies, and sometimes provides leverage in secret negotiations between high-ranking clergy and the Pope.

Of course, such stories are merely rumors circulating among the clergy. The Inquisition, as an intelligence agency, is shrouded in mystery, and their activities always take place beyond the sight of ordinary people.

Like any intelligence agency, these were just rumors surrounding the Inquisition.

At least until the Pope confirmed it.

“I have reports on all clergy members.”

“All, you say?”

“Yes. Among them is a report about you, Saint.”

The Pope recited verbatim the information collected by the Inquisition.

“Your grades from theological college, professors’ evaluations, your attitude toward those around you, your abilities, and even your relationship with Cardinal Raoul that people don’t know about, your parents’ status, and the circumstances that led to you being left at the convent—all written in detail.”

“……”

“There’s no need to be shocked. Even I was under the Inquisition’s surveillance until just before becoming Pope. I heard this story from my predecessor.”

“From the Pope?”

John XVI’s head moved heavily up and down.

“From the moment I entered the Inquisition, I was monitored by the audit office as an employee, so it was something I expected. But when stories about my children came from the Pope’s mouth, honestly, I was surprised too. Just like you are now.”

Lucia touched her face as if entranced. Though she wasn’t conscious of it, her lips had somehow become rigid.

Facing such a Lucia, the Pope warned in a low voice. It was a kind of advice.

“If you’re going to be a saint, it’s best to get used to it. Until now, only the Inquisition has been watching you, but now others are paying attention too. That’s just how it is with such positions.”

The Pope tapped the floor with his cane and cleared his throat to break the stiffened atmosphere.

“Still, there’s no need to be too afraid. If you conduct yourself as you have been, there shouldn’t be any major problems. However, this old man conveyed these unnecessary words to you because you need to be aware of the gazes of others, not just the Inquisition.”

It meant to be careful of the bishops and cardinals of the church.

Lucia, though not fully understanding, expressed her gratitude, saying she appreciated the advice anyway.

Looking at Lucia with a satisfied expression, John XVI began with a much softer smile.

“I’m glad you understand. Let’s set this topic aside for now. Though I have much to say, the time allowed to an old man is not much. If you wish to apologize to me now, I will say in advance that I have already accepted that apology.”

The Pope took out the handkerchief he had briefly put away and coughed repeatedly. The violent coughing continued to the point where onlookers might worry.

However, the Pope didn’t mind at all. After stuffing the handkerchief into his pocket as if hiding it, he immediately opened his mouth.

A slightly cracked voice with a metallic quality typical of the elderly.

John XVI, having seated Lucia, placed his hand on his cane and began to speak.

“Today, I wish to have a conversation with you that I’ve been postponing. A conversation about the future of our church.”

“Please speak.”

“Before that, let me ask you one thing.”

John XVI gazed at Lucia with gleaming sunken eyes.

“Saint, do you believe that the church is moving in the right direction?”