Page 24 of An Inside Job

“I imagine you do.”

“It’s all the space I need.”

“It’s the size of a confessional.”

“Have you ever set foot in one?”

“Not lately.”

“If you would like to unburden yourself . . .”

“We’d be here all day. Besides, according to your private secretary, our time is limited.”

“Don’t worry about Father Keegan. Believe it or not, I have a little pull around here.”

The Holy Father rose from his chair and stretched his tall frame to its full, imposing height. The pious white cassock did nothing to diminish his striking Umbrian good looks. Even Hollywood never would have dared to cast him in the role of the supreme pontiff.

He extended a hand. “Don’t even think about kissing it.”

“I wasn’t planning to,” replied Gabriel, and grasped the proffered papal appendage.

The Holy Father, laughing, pulled him into a tight embrace. “I was beginning to think that you had forgotten about me.”

“Not for a minute.”

“Why haven’t you visited?”

“One doesn’t justvisitthe supreme pontiff, Holiness.”

“Whyever not? And please drop the Holiness nonsense. I insist that you address me by my real name.”

“Do you even remember it?”

“Luigi Donati,” he replied. “I was once a humble street priest, a missionary who preached the Gospels and built schools and hospitals for the wretched of the earth. And now, thanks to you, I am trapped in this gilded cage wearing a white cassock.”

“A cage, yes. But it could definitely use a touch of gold trim.”

“My sources in Venice tell me that you’re living in a palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal.”

“We live on one floor of the palazzo, Holiness.”

“Luigi,” said the Holy Father. “My name is Luigi Donati.”

“I’ll try, Holiness.”

“Try harder.” Donati indicated the ornate seating arrangement. “Won’t you sit down?”

“Is that allowed?”

“Not generally. But in your case, I’m prepared to make an exception.”

Donati dropped onto the couch and placed his feet on the coffee table. Gabriel, after a moment’s hesitation, lowered himself onto the edge of the throne-like chair opposite.

“There’s no need to clasp your hands in my presence, Gabriel. I’m not an object of veneration.” Donati frowned. “Quite the opposite, actually.”

“You are beloved by people around the world, Luigi. Catholic and non-Catholic alike.”

“My enemies refer to me as the rock star pope. Needless to say, they don’t mean it as a compliment.”