Chapter 48 Chapter Forty Seven

Although Pope Carlo Venterske knew the time was running out, he walked slowly.He needed this time alone, to clear his mind before he could say his opening prayers.There is so much going on.He walked into the north wing sullenly alone, overwhelmed by the trials of the past fifteen days. He has scrupulously discharged his holy office. According to Vatican tradition, after the Pope died, the Pope's chamberlain put his finger on the Pope's carotid artery, listened carefully to his breathing, and then called his name three times.This confirms that the Pope has died.By law, no autopsy will be performed on the pope.Then, the Pope's chamberlain sealed the Pope's bedroom, destroyed the Pope's broken mold for the seal, and arranged for the funeral.With everything in place, he began preparations for a secret meeting.

Conclave.He thought, the most important thing.This is one of the oldest traditions in the Christian world. Now, because the results of conclave meetings are usually known before they take place, the process is often accused of being a formality — more a show than an election.However, the Pope's servant knew that this was just a misunderstanding of the secret meeting.A conclave is not an election, it is an ancient and mysterious transfer of power.The tradition is timeless...the secrecy, the folded note, the burning of the ballot, the concoction of ancient medicines, it's all there. As the papal chamberlain passed through the gazebo of Gregory XIII, he wondered if Cardinal Mortati was still in a panic.Mortati had no doubt noticed early on that the bishop-candidate had disappeared.In their absence, the bishops will likely have to vote all night long.The papal chamberlain was well aware that Mortati's position as elector was a good thing.This person has independent opinions and can speak out.Tonight's conclave needs a leader more than ever.

Walking to the top of the royal staircase, the Pope's chamberlain felt as if he was standing on the precipice of life.Even from this place above he could hear the clamor in the Sistine Chapel below—the uneasy voices of a hundred and sixty-five cardinals. One hundred and sixty-one cardinals, he corrected himself. In an instant, the pope's chamberlain fell, as if suddenly falling into hell, people screamed, flames engulfed him, and stones and blood rained from the sky. Then there was silence. When the child woke up, he found himself in heaven, surrounded by whiteness, and the lights were blinding and pure.

Although some people say that a ten-year-old child cannot understand what heaven is, the young Carlo Venterske has a very deep understanding of heaven.He was in heaven now, where else could he be?Although he was only ten years old, he had already experienced it.The majesty of God—thundering organ, high dome, singing, stained glass, shimmering bronze and gold.Carlo's mother Mary took him to Mass every day.The church is his home. "Why do we have to come to Mass every day?" Carlo asked, not because he didn't want to. "Because I made a promise to God to do it," she replied. "And, a promise to God is the most important of all promises. Never break a promise to God."

Carlo promised his mother that he would never break his promise to God.He loves his mother more than anything in the world, and she is his protector.Sometimes he called her Madonna--even though she didn't like it at all.When she prayed, he knelt beside her, smelling the fragrance from her body, and listening to her soft voice when she chanted.Hail Mary, Mother of God... pray for us sinners... both now and as we die. "Where is my father?" Carlo asked, knowing that his father died before he was born. "God is your Father now," she would always reply, "and you are a child of the Church."

Carlo liked to hear her say that. "Whenever you're afraid," she said, "remember that God is your Father now. He's always watching over you and protecting you, and God has big plans for you, Carlo." He knew she said That's right, he has been born with the ability to perceive the existence of God. blood rain... The rain of blood falling from the scorching sky... There was silence.Then there is heaven. After the blinding lights went out, Carlo knew that his paradise was actually the intensive care unit of Santa Clara Hospital outside Palermo.Kahlo was the only survivor of a horrific bombing when he and his mother were attending a mass on holiday when the bomb blew up the chapel and killed thirty-seven people, including his mother.The newspapers called Carlo's narrow escape the miracle of St. Francis.For unknown reasons, just moments before the explosion, he walked away from his mother and ventured into a guarded alcove where he stared at a painting depicting the story of St. Francis. Tapestry pondered.

God called me there, he decided, and he wanted to save me. Carlo was delirious with pain.He could still see his mother, kneeling by the pews, kissing him, and then with a loud, earth-shaking crash, her fragrant body exploded.He can still feel the evil of human nature.Blood rained from the sky, his mother's blood!Virgin Mary!God will always watch over you and protect you, her mother had told him. But where is God now!Then, as if his mother's words had come to light in the world, a priest came to the hospital.He is no ordinary priest, but a bishop.He prayed beside Carlo, thanking St. Francis for his miracle.After Carlo's recovery, the bishop arranged for him to live in a priory attached to the cathedral he presided over.Carlo lived, studied with the monks, and even became altar boy to his new patron.The bishop suggested that Carlo go to public school, but he refused because he couldn't be happier than staying in his new home.He is now truly living in the home of God.

Carlo prayed for his mother every night. God saved me for a reason, he thought, but what was the reason?Carlo turned sixteen, and according to Italian law he had to undergo a two-year reserve military training.The bishop told Carlo that he would be exempt from this obligation if he entered the seminary.Carlo told him that he was going to study in a seminary, but he must first understand what evil is. The bishop did not understand what he meant. Carlo told him that if he wants to spend his life in the church fighting against evil, he must first understand what evil is.He couldn't think of a better place to understand crime than in the military.Soldiers all use pistols and bombs.A bomb has killed my Holy Mother!The bishop tried his best to dissuade him, but Carlo was determined and could not be changed.

"Take care, child," said the Bishop, "and remember, the Church is waiting for you." Kahlo's two years in the military are hard to look back on.His youth was spent in silence and meditation, but in the army, there was no quiet moment for people to think, only endless noise and noise.There are huge machines everywhere, and there is not even a moment of peace.Although the soldiers celebrated weekly mass in the barracks, Carlo did not experience the presence of God in any of his companions.Their minds are in a mess, and they can't comprehend the existence of God at all.

Carlo hated his new life and longed to go home, but he was determined to see it through.He has to understand what evil is.He refused to use a gun, so the military asked him to fly an emergency helicopter.Carlo hated the noise and the smell, but at least it allowed him to fly closer to his heavenly mother.However, he was taken aback when he learned that flight training also included skydiving.However, he has no choice. God will protect me, he said to himself. Carlo's first skydive was the most sensory experience of his life.It was like flying in the air with God.Carlo couldn't get enough of seeing as he glided toward the ground...there was silence...he was floating in the air...he was looking at his mother's face in the rolling sea of ​​white clouds.

God has grand plans for the body, Carlo.After Carlo returned from the army, he entered the seminary. That was twenty-three years ago. Now, Pope Carlo Venterske's chamberlain is walking down the royal staircase, trying to make sense of the chain of events that brought him to this extraordinary crossroads. Don't be afraid of anything, he told himself, and give God tonight. At this moment, he could already see the tall bronze door of the Sistine Chapel, and four Swiss guards dutifully guarded the door.The guard unlocked and pushed open the gate.At this time, everyone inside turned their heads.The Pope's chamberlain stared at the crowd in black robes and scarlet sash.He understood what God had planned for him.The fate of the Church was in his hands. The Pope's chamberlain crossed himself and stepped over the threshold.

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