The eye of the lion

At 7:30pm that evening, we were all gathered around the table at “Via Poussin.” There was food and provisions in the RV and a full tank, plus six large cans of fuel strapped to the roof rack.

Pierre was drawing us a map of the region we were thinking of going to, and which we thought would be a safe place to settle for a time while we developed a plan, or until there were new visions with more directions. Aeesha hadn’t said anything else in that respect.

No-one was very hungry and we’d only ordered a little French bread and coffee. We could see the news on the television from a distance, although only Jessica really understood what was being said. My French was very basic.

Pierre approached with the map, gave it to Jessica and explained which route to take. When she thanked him and asked him for the bill, the good man refused to charge us. With a sad

smile he said there was no point. That soon money would not be worth anything, but that generous deeds would.

When Jessica interpreted that for us, we were very touched.

We were just getting up to go, when Jessica asked for quiet, looking at the television.

Behind an emotional news-caster was a live image from San Pedro square in the Vatican. People were applauding and singing. On the balcony of the Basilica, a man was waving to the crowd and dispensing blessings. As the camera drew near, Jessica started to interpret what the newsreader was saying. The face of a man dressed in the Pope’s ecclesiastical gowns filled the screen.

“In the most unexpected election in the many conclaves of the history of the Catholic Church...” translated Jessica, “The Most Excellent Cardinal Pietro Mencucci has been elected Pope of the Catholic Church, choosing “Petrus Romanus” Peter II as his apostle name... The first Italian Pope in more than thirty years...”

“Oh, my God...!” murmured a voice among us.

We turned and saw Dr. Cole’s contorted face, looking at the

screen. His lips were trembling as he murmured,

“God help us...”