The eye of the lion

Catholicism’s most excellent and powerful intellects were there, attired with solemn, pompous dignity in the magnificent ancient conclave. They had finally reconvened in response to Bruno Voquessi’s call. Forty Cardinals and thirty or so Bishops. At the head of the great table, weary and visibly moved, his Holiness John XXIV presided over the meeting. At his side, Voquessi asked for silence with shining eyes and an arrogant gesture. He stood up and announced in a solemn voice,

“Dear brothers. I have asked you here today to share with you the most important, prodigious news possible. Perhaps the most marvelous news since the resurrection of Our Lord...”

A murmur of exclamation surged through the room. Various members of the clergy rose to their feet, among them Giovanni Cabriani, Cardinal of Piamont and Voquessi’s bitter rival, whom he looked at now with a strange, pale, expectant face.

His enemy continued, calming them with a gesture.

“And news.... And news that we will soon share with the whole world with the greatest of joy.”

“In God’s name, brother Cardinal...” Cabriani asked brusquely, his voice raised, still on his feet, “What are you talking about?”

Voquessi shot him a disdainful glance, but he did not answer him directly. Instead he turned to the others.

“The news that we will today reveal to the world, dear brothers, will herald the beginning of a new era. The glorious era of the definitive triumph of Christ and his Holy Church as the true religion...”

Another murmur of admiration - and confusion - arose in the room. Voquessi nodded and continued when the murmur died down, before the nervous regard of his only possible rival in his journey towards Saint Peter’s throne: Cabriani.

“However I am not the one to communicate these good tidings to you, brothers, but rather the holy man who is our guide and inspiration.”

Saying this, he looked at the Pope. He stooped to his side and helped him stand up. The murmurs ceased instantly and gave way to a striking silence. John XXIV looked at them for a moment and then spoke with a faltering voice, perhaps because of the emotion of the moment, or maybe from fatigue and his poor health.

Everyone took their seat in silence, including Voquessi and Cabriani, and listened with profound respect.

“Beloved brethren, Cardinals and Bishops. Today is a great day for the Mother Church, and for myself, her humble servant. Our Lord Jesus Christ, in his infinite goodness and wisdom, has now granted me, in these my last days of earthly existence, the privilege of testifying to one of the marvels that man has been able to perform, by means of His holy inspiration...”

Everyone was watching and listening, absorbed, motionless, expectant. Cabriani was shifting uneasily in his chair, looking at Voquessi out of the corner of his eye. The Pope continued,

“After two thousand years of antagonism, confrontation and separation, the marriage between science and religion has been symbolically sealed by way of the most marvelous of discoveries...”

Cabriani’s eyes met Voquessi’s, who at that moment drew an almost imperceptible smile. His moment of triumph was approaching, and he knew it.

“...A discovery which has been made possible thanks to the tireless and blessed work, by God’s grace, of our dear brother Bruno, who was the intermediary in this miracle...”

Voquessi, who could almost taste the glorious delights to come, nodded his head in a gesture that he intended to convey humility, but which struck Cabriani with its pride as though it were a mallet. The latter, pale-faced, listened to hear the revelation that the Holy Father was about to make.

“My brothers... Today we will inform the world that there is scientific proof...” (his voice was breaking) “of the divine nature of Jesus of Nazareth.”

The clamor that arose shook the room.