Page 27

Opposition

Marco

“The synod must be stopped,” Cardinal Visconti’s voice is unmistakable. “This young fool will destroy millennia of doctrine with his progressive idiocy.”

“Patience,” Cardinal Lombardi replies. “Our allies in the media are already painting him as inexperienced and reckless. The financial investigation has been contained. Once we present evidence of his… unsuitability… the College will have no choice but to act.”

“And if he persists with this reform agenda?” Cardinal Antonelli asks.

“Then we implement our contingency plan,” Lombardi says. “The Church has survived far worse threats than an overly idealistic pope. One way or another, this phase will pass.”

“The contingency plan concerns me,” Antonelli’s voice drops lower, forcing me to strain to hear. “Using Canon three hundred thirty-two is one thing—pressuring him to resign maintains appearances. But your other suggestions…”

“History is written by the victors, Eminence,” Lombardi’s tone is coldly pragmatic.

“Pope John Paul I lasted only thirty-three days. Some questions were asked, then forgotten. If medical issues were to befall our young pope—stress of office, perhaps a congenital heart condition previously undiagnosed—who would truly question it?”

“I never agreed to—” Antonelli starts.

“You needn’t agree to anything,” Visconti cuts in. “Merely continue supporting our public opposition. The rest can be handled discreetly by my associates.”

“The doctor who performed his pre-conclave examination is sympathetic to our cause,” Lombardi continues.

“He’s prepared to testify to certain… concerning findings…

should they become relevant. And should more direct intervention become necessary, there are compounds that leave no trace, unlike what was used with Adessi.

Cardinal Antonelli, you need not concern yourself with these details. ”

“What of his supporters?” Antonelli asks, seemingly unwilling to pursue the darker implications.

“Cardinal Sullivan is a problem,” Visconti acknowledges. “But he’s isolated among the Europeans. Archbishop Chen’s Asian coalition is being handled—we’ve already redirected funding from their missionary efforts to more traditional dioceses. Economic pressure works wonders in developing regions.”

“And if the Pope contacts media outlets directly?” Antonelli persists.

“We’ve secured the communications channels,” Lombardi says with confidence.

“Father Rossi in the communications office reports to me first. Any statement from the Pope will be ‘clarified’ before release. We’ve also placed sympathetic security personnel in his detail who report on his movements and contacts. ”

“The Swiss Guard—” Antonelli begins.

“Captain Lombardi remains loyal to the Pope,” Visconti concedes. “But his deputy has family in Naples with significant debts to certain organizations. His cooperation can be assured, I’m certain of it.”

Their footsteps fade down the corridor. I remain frozen, my heart pounding.

Their words confirm what I’ve suspected—this isn’t mere resistance but coordinated sabotage.

The “contingency plan” is far worse than I imagined—not just forcing my resignation but contemplating my murder.

The systematic isolation, the infiltration of my security, the control of communications—this is a coup in the making.

I return to my desk, trying to steady my breathing. The morning sunlight no longer feels warm. Instead, it exposes my vulnerability, illuminating dust particles that swirl like the conspiracies forming around me.

A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts.

“Enter,” I call, composing myself.

Cardinal Sullivan steps in, his face grave. He’s aged visibly in the weeks since I announced the synod.

“Your Holiness,” he begins, then drops the formality when I gesture. “Marco, I’ve spent the morning speaking with bishops from across Europe. The resistance is… substantial.”

“Tell me,” I say, gesturing to the chair across from me.

“Nearly forty percent of the European bishops have signed a letter expressing ‘grave concerns’ about the synod’s topics.

They’re questioning not just the theological basis but your authority to call such a discussion.

” He hands me the document. “They’ve been coordinating their response through Cardinal Lombardi’s office. ”

I scan the signatures. Many expected names, but some surprises—bishops I’d counted as moderates.

“They’re being pressured,” Sullivan says, reading my expression. “Several have contacted me privately to explain their position. They’re afraid, Marco. The old guard is threatening everything from funding cuts to revelations of past indiscretions.”

“Blackmail,” I say flatly.

“The genteel Vatican version, yes.” Sullivan rubs his forehead.

“Tell me about these media allies Lombardi mentioned,” I say once I’ve related what I overheard.

Sullivan grimaces. “It’s extensive. L’Osservatore Romano is compromised—the editor was appointed by Benedict and answers to Lombardi. They’ve subtly altered your statements in the official transcripts, softening your reform language and emphasizing traditional elements out of context.”

“I’ve noticed the discrepancies,” I admit.

“Beyond Vatican media, they’ve cultivated relationships with Catholic publications worldwide.

The Catholic Herald in Britain, The Tablet, National Catholic Reporter in America—all have published opinion pieces questioning your theological qualifications.

” Sullivan pulls out a tablet and shows me a spreadsheet.

“My staff has been tracking the coverage. Sixty-eight percent of Catholic media outlets have published at least one negative article about your leadership in the past month.”

“And mainstream media?”

“More complex. RAI in Italy has several producers with ties to Opus Dei who control religious coverage. They’ve been particularly effective at framing your youth as inexperience rather than bringing fresh perspective.

” Sullivan scrolls through his data. “In America, certain cable networks are portraying you as a dangerous radical. The European press is more balanced, but even there, sources close to the Vatican—meaning Lombardi’s office—are quoted expressing ‘concerns about the Pope’s understanding of Church tradition. ’”

“Social media?”

“That’s where it’s most coordinated. We’ve identified at least twelve ‘Catholic truth’ accounts with millions of followers that launched simultaneously three weeks ago.

They appear independent but use identical talking points.

Their content gets amplified by established conservative Catholic influencers.

” Sullivan looks grim. “They’re creating an alternative narrative where you’re an illegitimate pope pushing a secular agenda. ”

“And our counter-strategy?”

“Limited at present. We need to identify sympathetic journalists—those not compromised by Lombardi’s network. Sister Lucia has connections at America Magazine and La Croix International. They’re willing to publish theological perspectives supporting your reforms.”

“Not enough,” I say, pacing. “We need to reach the faithful directly.”

“Agreed. But we must be careful. Any communications technology within the Vatican may be compromised.”

I stop pacing. “Not all of it. Captain Lombardi established secure channels after the assassination attempt. And we have one asset they don’t expect.”

“What’s that?”

“The modern world. They think in old patterns—controlling official channels, traditional media. But the world is more than that now.” I feel a strategy forming.

“There’s more. Three theological journals have rejected Sister Lucia’s papers supporting your position on homosexuality and marriage. The editors received ‘guidance’ from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.”

“Cardinal Visconti’s office,” I note. “They’re attempting to control the theological narrative.”

“Precisely. Without published scholarly support, your reforms will appear to lack theological foundation.”

I rise and pace to the window. The Vatican gardens below seem peaceful, belying the storm building within these walls.

“What of our supporters?” I ask.

“They exist, but they’re cautious. Many fear association with what’s being characterized as a radical agenda.” Sullivan hesitates. “Marco, there’s talk of invoking Canon three hundred thirty-two,” Sullivan says gravely .

“I heard them discussing it,” I admit. “But I didn’t realize how far along their preparations were.”

“They’ve already drafted documents,” Sullivan reveals, his voice dropping lower. “Cardinal Visconti has been gathering signatures from sympathetic cardinals, framing it as a ‘contingency measure’ should your health or judgment become compromised.”

“They’re building a case that you’re unfit to lead,” he continues. “Creating a narrative that you’re too young, too inexperienced, too… emotional.”

“They want me to resign before I can implement any real change.”

“Or create conditions where resignation becomes your only option.”

Another knock interrupts us. Sister Lucia enters, her usually calm demeanour visibly strained.

“Your Holiness, forgive the interruption,” she says.

“I’ve just come from a meeting at the Pontifical University.

My colleagues—” She stops, collecting herself.

“Three of my colleagues have publicly withdrawn their names from our theological working papers. They claim my interpretations are ‘dangerous innovations contrary to Church tradition.’”

“Sit, Sister,” I say gently. “Cardinal Sullivan was just briefing me on similar developments.”

She sinks into a chair. “It’s not just academic resistance, Your Holiness. I’ve received… threats. Warnings that my work undermines the faith. One senior theologian suggested I might face investigation for heresy.”

“Heresy?” I can’t keep the shock from my voice. “For theological scholarship?”